AUS vs PAK: Pakistan’s Best Playing XI for 1st ODI Against Australia
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Pakistan’s white-ball series against Australia is all set to kick off with the 1st ODI on November 4 at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Australia, fresh from a narrow 3-2 series win in England, enters the series with momentum but will also be mindful of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy. For Pakistan, it’s a new chapter under the guidance of coach Jason Gillespie and captain Mohammad Rizwan.
Pakistan’s Playing XI vs Australia
Pakistan’s top order will be anchored by Abdullah Shafique and Saim Ayub. Both young openers have shown promise with their ability to build solid starts, and they’ll aim to set the tone against Australia’s formidable bowling attack. Behind them, Babar Azam slots in at number three. Despite being dropped from Pakistan’s recent Test match against England, Babar remains an important asset in Pakistan’s limited-overs squad, known for his composed and technically sound batting.
Mohammad Rizwan, in his first outing as the white-ball captain, will be under the spotlight, not just for his leadership but also for his dual role as wicketkeeper-batter. His experience and aggressive batting style will be crucial, particularly in building partnerships in the middle order. Another young prospect, Muhammad Irfan Khan, joins the middle order. His potential to add stability and rotate the strike will be valuable, especially against Australia’s pace-heavy attack.
All-round Strength and Bowling Depth
Pakistan’s middle order receives further support with all-rounders Salman Ali Agha and Kamran Ghulam. Salman, known for his ability to chip in with the ball and play adaptable knocks, adds a strategic advantage, while Ghulam provides a balanced option as a reliable all-rounder who can adapt to different match situations. Adding to the all-round strength is Aamer Jamal, whose presence further enhances Pakistan’s flexibility in the lower order.
In the bowling department, Pakistan has a strong pace duo in Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf. Shaheen, leading the attack, brings both aggression and precision, and he’ll be essential in breaking Australia’s top order early. Haris Rauf’s raw pace and ability to generate bounce make him a key asset in Australian conditions. Meanwhile, Arafat Minhas offers variety with his spin, providing control in the middle overs.
Pakistan’s Probable XI:
- Abdullah Shafique
- Saim Ayub
- Babar Azam
- Muhammad Irfan Khan
- Mohammad Rizwan (Captain, Wicketkeeper-Batter)
- Salman Ali Agha
- Kamran Ghulam
- Aamer Jamal
- Shaheen Afridi
- Haris Rauf
- Arafat Minhas
With this lineup, Pakistan brings a combination of firepower, depth, and flexibility to tackle Australia. As both teams look to establish dominance in the series opener, all eyes will be on Pakistan’s new leadership and the players’ performances under the bright lights of the MCG.
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