Pakistan names playing XI for first test against Australia

Pakistan on Wednesday named the playing XI for the first test against Australia starting on Dec 14, for the Benaud-Qadir Trophy.

For the first time, Shan Masood will lead the national side in a test match which includes debutant right-arm medium-fast bowlers Aamir Jamal and Khurram Shahzad.

The team includes Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel and Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk) aiming to strengthen the batting line, whereas all-rounders Salman Ali Agha and Faheem Ashraf are also expected to deliver in the tough Australian conditions.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has named pace star Shaheen Shah Afridi the vice-captain for the national squad for the three-match Test series.

The board appointed Shaheen as the vice-captain for Test cricket for this specific series after the announcement of the playing XI.

Shaheen is also Pakistan’s captain for the T20 cricket team.

Pakistan XI:

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.

A day ahead of the first test match the Benaud-Qadir Trophy was revealed at Perth Stadium featuring captains of both teams. 

Pak vs Australia Test series schedule:

First Test: December 14-18, Perth Stadium

Second Test: December 26-30, MCG

Third Test: January 3-7, SCG

Australia squad for the first test includes:

Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Lance Morris, Steve Smith, Mitch Starc, David Warner