Pakistan, Australia name playing XIs for Perth Test

PERTH: Pakistan confirmed two debutants in their playing XI for the Perth Test, the opening encounter of their ICC World Test Championship series starting tomorrow (Dec 14).

Shan Masood’s first assignment as skipper sees Pakistan make a ring of changes with all-rounder Aamir Jamal and right-arm fast bowler Khurram Shahzad set to make their Test debut.

Jamal made his international debut for Pakistan a year back against England and recently represented them at the Asian Games. Meanwhile, for Khurram, it will be a first outing for his country.

After a nearly year-long wait, all-rounder Faheem Ashraf is returning to the Test arena while Sarfaraz Ahmed continues to be Pakistan’s first-choice wicketkeeper ahead of Mohammed Rizwan.

Pakistan have retained the combination of Imamul Haq and Abdullah Shafique at the top for the Perth Test with the latter displaying good form in the recently concluded ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.

Former skipper Babar Azam will continue to feature at his number four batting position. The visitors have entrusted Salman Ali Agha to take up spin duties as Abrar Ahmed had been ruled out due to injury.

The fast bowling line-up attack will be led by Shaheen Afridi, supported by Faheem Ashraf.

Meanwhile, Australia have also named the side that will take on Pakistan in the Perth Test.

As expected, Pat Cummins captains Australia in their first international encounter of the summer. The big news is the appointment of Travis Head 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.

Head’s promotion reflects a trust in his abilities, which saw him deliver back-to-back match-winning performances in the semi-final and final of the recent ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup.

He won Player of the Match for his returns in both these games, as Australia went on to lift the trophy for a record sixth time.

For the Perth Test, spinner Nathan Lyon comes back to the playing XI for fellow tweaker Todd Murphy in the only change to the Australia XI that took on England in the final match of an epic Ashes series at The Oval.

Australia’s lead spinner had missed international cricketing action after picking up a calf injury against England at the Lord’s in June.

However, he has returned to domestic cricket in recent months, and has featured in the Marsh Cup and Sheffield Shield for New South Wales.

There weren’t many other surprises for Australia.

David Warner and Usman Khawaja will open the innings as expected. A strong middle-order will comprise of Marnus Labuschagne, Smith, and Head. Mitchell Marsh will take the all-rounder’s role having been preferred over Cameron Green.

Alex Carey is back taking the gloves for Australia in red-ball cricket after Josh Inglis was preferred to him for the majority of Australia’s Cricket World Cup campaign.

Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Josh Hazlewood will be the fast bowling trio for the Perth Test.

Playing XIs for Perth Test: Pakistan: Imamul Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Aamir Jamal, and Khurram Shahzad.

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