Pakistan announces squad for first Test against Australia

PERTH: Pakistan on Wednesday announced their playing XI for the first Test against Australia which begins in Perth tomorrow.

Pacers Aamir Jamal and Khurram Shahzad are set to make their Test debut for Pakistan.

Jamal has already represented Pakistan in 4 T20Is, making his debut against England last year, but managed only one wicket. The 27-year-old has a decent first-class record, taking 76 wickets in 28 matches at 32.57. Shahzad, yet another right-arm medium bowler, has relatively better numbers in the first-class circuit, picking up 136 scalps in 45 fixtures at 29.24.

Salman Ali Agha is the lone specialist spinner picked in the XI, while Faheem Ashraf is likely to share the new ball with Shaheen Shah Afridi. Mohammad Rizwan has been overlooked for the keeper’s role, with Sarfaraz Ahmed pipping him.

Meanwhile, Australia have also named the side that will take on Pakistan in the opening match of their ICC World Test Championship series in Perth.

Pat Cummins captains Australia in their first international encounter of the summer while Travis Head was appointed as the vice-captain of the Australia side. He’ll be the co vice-captain of the team along with the present deputy, Steve Smith.

Pakistan squad

Shan Masood (captain), Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicket-keeper), Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Aamir Jamal, Khurram Shahzad.

Australia playing XI against Pakistan:

David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.

Test series schedule

First Test: December 14-18, Perth Stadium

Second Test: December 26-30, MCG

Third Test: January 3-7, SCG

The Pakistan cricket team faces a monumental challenge as they prepare to tackle Australia on their home turf in the Test series. The opening match is set to commence on December 14th at the Perth Stadium, marking the start of a highly anticipated cricketing clash between two giants of the cricket world.

The recently appointed captain of the Pakistan cricket team, Shan Masood, along with his squad, engaged in a four-day warm-up match against the Australian Prime Minister’s XI. The skipper showcased remarkable batting skills, notching an unbeaten double-century with a score of 201 runs. Unfortunately, persistent heavy rain led to the match concluding in a premature draw.