New Delhi: In what can be termed as an unusual instance, both Pakistan and Australia have named their playing XI for the first ODI scheduled to be played on Monday at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Both teams dropped their combinations a day before the clash and the development has come with some key highlights indeed. It marks the return of Babar Azam as a player rather than a skipper, as he was replaced by Mohammad Rizwan last Sunday for Pakistan’s white-ball setup.
It is noteworthy that a selector from the Pakistan Cricket Board’s selection panel is accompanying them on the tour, and as per their new policy, will have the final say in selecting the playing XI for each clash, sidelining the skipper and the head coach. While announcing the XI, Rizwan said that the series will kick-start their preparations for the Champions Trophy back home next year.
“We are scheduled to play a good number of ODIs before next year’s ICC Champions Trophy back in Pakistan. The forthcoming series beginning with Australia, then Zimbabwe, South Africa, and the home tri-nation tournament will help us assemble the right combination going into the mega event,” Rizwan said in a statement released by the PCB on Sunday. Pakistan have handed debuts to Muhammad Irfan Khan and Saim Ayub.
The men’s national selection committee has confirmed Pakistan’s playing XI for the first ODI against Australia.#AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/kxiX9E2OGc
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) November 3, 2024
Meanwhile, Australia have announced a power-packed playing XI for the opening clash of the series as they are set to unleash the duo of Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matt Short as their new opening pair at the MCG. The team will be led by ODI World Cup-winning skipper Pat Cummins.
Australia’s newest opening pair have been given a license to attack the new ball as captain Pat Cummins revealed his XI for the opening game of the men’s international summer.#AUSvPAK | @jackpaynhttps://t.co/kBkJLsLGJN
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 3, 2024
Playing XIs
Pakistan XI for 1st ODI:
Mohammad Rizwan (c/wk), Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha (vc), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain.
Australia XI for 1st ODI:
Pat Cummins (c), Matt Short, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Steve Smith, Josh Inglis (wk), Marnus Labuschagne, Aaron Hardie, Glenn Maxwell, Sean Abbott, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa.
