Pakistan Announce Playing XI For 1st Test vs Australia; Sarfaraz Ahmed in, Mohammed Rizwan Out

Perth: In what could be labelled as a bold move, Pakistan captain Shan Masood has announced the playing XI on eve of the first Test versus Australia. There were two surprises in the XI. Sarfaraz Ahmed was back in the side, while Mohammed Rizwan is not been included in the XI. Pakistan also have two Test debutantes in Aamir Jamal and Khurram Shahzad.

In all probability, Abdullah Shafique will open the batting with Imam-ul-Haq. At No. 3, there would be Pakistan’s new captain Shan Masood. Masood has already hit a double century in the warm-up game against Prime Minister’s XI. Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel will play at No. 4 and 5 respectively.

Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood’s press conference at Perth Stadium.#AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/xrjGDdwPge

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 13, 2023

Pakistan XI for the first Test v Australia:

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