Pakistan, commanded by Shan Masood, is ready to begin their three-match Test series against Australia. On Wednesday, December 14, both teams will play at the Optus Stadium in Perth. Pakistan has revealed their first Test roster and has once again chosen to field a group of players with a fair amount of inexperience.
In the longest format, Pacers Aamir Jamal and Khurram Shahzad will be making their debuts, with Shaheen Afridi spearheading the assault. But there isn’t space for a specialized spin option on the side with three pacers in the lineup. Agha Salman, a hitter, will be in the lineup, while Hasan and Noman Ali, who are part-spinners, will be rested.
Abrar Ahmed’s injury has upset Pakistan’s plans, which is why they are without a qualified spinner. It is still unclear why he was selected for the second and third tests. Sajid Khan took over for Ahmed in an emergency. When he landed in Australia on December 12, it was thought highly improbable that he would play in the opening test.
With Shan Masood as their new captain, Pakistan’s bowling attack is primarily characterized by speed.
The Optus Stadium in Perth may, as is customary, have a surface that is favorable to pacers, therefore Pakistan’s choice to field a lineup heavy on speed might work in the team’s favor. Notably, in the next game, the visitors’ lone spinner will be Agha Salman. However, a few days earlier, Australia revealed their starting team for the first Test.
The opening Test match in Perth will see three Australian pacers: Mitchell Marsh and Nathan Lyon, the senior spinner. Australia and Pakistan will both be hoping for a strong showing in the first match of the series and to start the 2017 World Test Championship cycle off well. It would be intriguing to watch how things work out for the Asian team under their new Test captain, Shan Masood, following a lackluster performance in the ODI World Cup 2023, when Pakistan was ousted in the group round.
Australia’s first Test match versus Pakistan’s playing XI:
Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (c), Agha Salman, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Aamir Jamal, Khurram Shahzad, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk),
India
