MELBOURNE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled its formidable playing XI for the first One Day International (ODI) against Australia, scheduled to take place on Monday at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The highly anticipated match marks the return of key players Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Naseem Shah, significantly bolstering Pakistan’s lineup for the series opener.
Mohammad Rizwan, recently appointed as Pakistan’s ODI and T20I captain, will lead the side, with Agha Salman serving as his vice-captain. Rizwan’s leadership will be crucial as Pakistan seeks to make a strong start in the series.
The selected XI boasts a blend of experience and talent, featuring: Mohammad Rizwan (captain), Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Agha Salman (vice-captain), Mohammad Irfan Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain
The match is set to commence at 8:30 AM Pakistan Standard Time, and fans are eagerly awaiting the clash between the two cricketing giants.
With the return of Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Naseem Shah, Pakistan’s chances of securing a winning start in the series have significantly improved. The team’s performance will be closely watched, especially under Rizwan’s captaincy.
