In the wake of a disappointing performance in the first two Tests at Perth Stadium and Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), respectively, Pakistan have unveiled their playing XI for the upcoming New Year Test against Australia. Determined to stage a comeback after succumbing to a series defeat, the visitors are gearing up for the Sydney Cricket Ground encounter.
No place for the star opener
Ahead of the SCG Test, Pakistan have introduced a couple of alterations to their XI compared to the lineup that featured in the MCG Test. Opener Imam-ul-Haq has been omitted from the XI due to his underwhelming batting performance. Across four innings, Imam struggled, accumulating only 94 runs at an average of 23.50.
In his stead, the emerging talent Saim Ayub has been selected by Pakistan. Although Ayub is yet to make his debut in the longest format, he has showcased his skills in 8 T20Is for the Men in Green. Impressively, Ayub boasts 1069 runs in 14 first-class games, maintaining an average of 46.47.
Senior pacer unavailable
Another modification in the Pakistan squad involves Shaheen Afridi, who has been rested for the third and final Test. Instead, Pakistan have opted for Sajid Khan to reinforce their spin attack, capitalizing on the SCG’s tendency to offer support to spinners.
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Pakistan’s playing XI for the New Year Test:
- Saim Ayub: A promising young batter, Ayub has showcased his talent with the bat and is eager to make his mark on the international stage.
- Abdullah Shafique: Known for his solid technique, Shafique is a dependable opener who has the ability to provide a stable foundation at the top of the order.
- Shan Masood (c): The captain of the side, Masood brings experience and leadership qualities to the team. A seasoned campaigner, he will be crucial in guiding the team through challenging situations.
- Babar Azam: Widely regarded as one of the best modern-day batter, Babar is a key player for Pakistan. Known for his stylish strokes, he is expected to anchor the innings.
- Saud Shakeel: A middle-order batter, Shakeel is looking to establish himself in the international arena. He possesses a compact technique and the ability to play long innings.
- Mohammad Rizwan: The wicketkeeper-batter, Rizwan, is known for his grit and determination. He plays a pivotal role in stabilizing the middle order and is a reliable presence behind the stumps.
- Salman Ali Agha: A seasoned campaigner, Agha’s inclusion adds experience to the team. He is expected to provide solidity to the batting order and contribute with the ball if needed.
- Sajid Khan: A spin-bowling all-rounder, Sajid is a wicket-taking option with his off-spin. His ability to break partnerships could be crucial for Pakistan.
- Hasan Ali: A pace spearhead for Pakistan, Hasan’s ability to generate pace and extract bounce makes him a potent force. He will be a key figure in the fast-bowling department.
- Ali Hamza: An emerging talent in the bowling department, Hamza will be eager to make an impact with his left-arm seam bowling.
- Amer Jamal: A quality pacer, Jamal adds variety to the bowling attack. His ability to seam the ball and create uncertainty among batters will be an asset for Pakistan.