Pakistan men’s cricket team announced the playing XI for the First Test match against Australia, one day prior to the beginning of the match.
🚨 Playing XI for first Test 🚨
Aamir Jamal and Khurram Shahzad are set to make their Test debut 👏#AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/4GqRRKZC6J
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 13, 2023
Khurram Shahzad and Aamer Jamal will make their Test match debuts, while the batting order remains the same that was deployed in last week’s four-day practice match. It is pertinent to mention here that Aamer Jamal is an all-rounder and playing him over Hasan Ali or even Mir Hamza doesn’t make much sense since its Australia and the home team hurts visiting sides if they are a bowler short.
Pakistan’s premier spinner, Abrar Ahmed, is out of the match due to an injury. Noman Ali has been ignored for the first match while the spin bowling duties will be performed by all-rounder Salman Ali Agha.
Salman Agha In Sri Lankan Tests
| Matches | Innings | Runs | Highest Score | 100s | 50s | Wickets | Bowling Average | Best Bowling In An Inning | Best Bowling In A Match |
| 2 | 3 | 221 | 132* | 1 | 1 | 3 | 21.00 | 2-39 | 3-57 |
The one surprising omission from the team is fast bowler Hasan Ali. Experts believed that he’s been rested from the practice match because he’s a sure-shot starter in the first Test, but the Pakistani team management has gone with fast bowlers in the Perth conditions, rather than 130ish fast bowler Ali.
Pakistan will likely use the bowling services of Saud Shakeel as the spinning department seems weak. Australia isn’t known for its spinning conditions, but Australia uses off-spinner Nathan Lyon very efficiently.
During the practice match, the Pakistani supporters even saw Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq bowling, so expect the unexpected.
