Wasim Akram handed the new Pakistan caps to the debutants
Australia has won the toss and elected to bowl first in their latest match. This decision comes as the team looks to leverage the conditions and put pressure on the batting side.
In a notable development, both Ayub and Irfan Khan are set to make their international debuts. The inclusion of these two players adds a fresh dynamic to the squad, and fans are eager to see how they perform on this significant stage.
Australia’s strategy to bowl first suggests they are confident in their bowling attack and believe that the pitch may offer some assistance in the early stages of the game. The match promises to be an exciting encounter, especially with the debut of the new players.
As the game progresses, all eyes will be on Ayub and Irfan Khan to see how they adapt and contribute to their team’s performance.
Ayub and Abdullah Shafique will form a new opening combination in Pakistan’s ODI side despite a terrible record as the Test opening pair. Babar Azam returns at No. 3 after being rested from the final two Tests against England back home. Captain Mohammad Rizwan is listed to bat at No. 4. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah also return as part of a four-man pace attack.
Australia’s quicks will hope to make early incisions with Mitchell Starc coming off seven wickets in a Sheffield Shield game at the MCG just a fortnight ago. Josh Hazlewood is not playing as he is currently playing in the Shield for New South Wales and will join the squad for the second ODI in Adelaide.
Matthew Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk will open the batting for Australia as expected with Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh absent for the entire series on paternity leave. Josh Inglis will slot in at No. 4 as he did a couple of times in England, with Steven Smith batting at No. 3 and Marnus Labuschagne remaining at No. 5. Aaron Hardie has been listed ahead of Glenn Maxwell but the order may be fluid as Australia like to use Maxwell as a floater.
Pakistan are playing their first ODI since the 2023 World Cup. Test coach Jason Gillespie takes charge as the interim coach after the resignation of Gary Kirsten as Pakistan’s white-ball coach just prior to the tour.
Australia 1 Matthew Short, 2 Jake Fraser-McGurk, 3 Steven Smith, 4 Josh Inglis (wk), 5 Marnus Labuschagne, 6 Aaron Hardie, 7 Glenn Maxwell, 8 Sean Abbott, 9 Pat Cummins (capt), 10 Mitchell Starc, 11 Adam Zampa
Pakistan 1 Saim Ayub, 2 Abdullah Shafique, 3 Babar Azam, 4 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 5 Kamran Ghulam, 6 Salman Ali Agha, 7 Irfan Khan, 8 Shaheen Shah Afridi, 9 Naseem Shah, 10 Haris Rauf, 11 Mohammad Hasnain