Pak Vs Aus: Pakistan reveal Playing XI for first ODI against Australia

RAWALPINDI: Pakistan have revealed their Playing XI for the first One Day International (ODI) of the three-match series against Australia at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Saturday.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) revealed the line-up on its social media accounts just minutes before the toss, confirming that all-rounder Arafat Minhas will make his ODI debut.

Meanwhile, young wicketkeeper Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, who made his debut against Bangladesh as a specialist batter, will take the gloves in the absence of Mohammad Rizwan, who was dropped from the ODI side.

Playing XIs

Pakistan team XI

Skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi, vice captain Salman Ali Agha, Sahibzada Farhan, Maaz Sadaqat, Babar Azam, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Abdul Samad, Arafat Minhas, Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed

Australia squad

Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Skipper Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Riley Meredith, Ollie Peake, Matthew Renshaw, Tanveer Sangha, Liam Scott, Matt Short, Billy Stanlake, Cooper Connolly and Adam Zampa

Speaking ahead of the series, Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi said his side was well prepared for the ODI challenge against Australia.

“Australia are among the strongest teams in the world, and contests against them are always tough,” Afridi said.

He added that the players had worked hard during the training camp and were determined to deliver positive results.

“We have prepared well for Australia,” he said, adding that every player in the squad has an important role to play.

Afridi also defended Pakistan’s fast bowlers amid concerns over a decline in pace, attributing the issue to a demanding cricket calendar and the physical toll of continuous competition.

The left-arm pacer said fast bowlers require enough recovery time and effective workload management to perform at their peak. He compared bowlers to machines that need regular maintenance to sustain their efficiency, intensity and performance levels.