Pak announce playing XI for Aus ODI

Pakistan has announced their lineup for the first ODI against Australia, scheduled for November 4 at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Young talents Saim Ayub and Muhammad Irfan Khan will make their ODI debuts, marking the start of Pakistan's preparations for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025.

The lineup for this match features four changes from Pakistan's last ODI appearance in the 2023 ICC Men's Cricket World Cup. Alongside the new debutants, Kamran Ghulam and Mohammad Hasnain make their return to the team after nearly two years.

Fast bowler Mohammad Hasnain, who last played an ODI in January 2023, returns to the squad following his impressive performance in the Champions One-Day Cup, where he topped the wicket-taking charts with 17 dismissals in just six games at an average of 16.17. Kamran Ghulam also secured his spot with strong domestic performances, being the second-highest run-scorer in the same tournament. Ghulam, who recently made a notable Test debut, will now play only his second ODI after a two-year gap.

Debutant Saim Ayub is set to open the batting with Abdullah Shafique, followed by star batsman Babar Azam. The middle-order lineup includes captain Mohammad Rizwan, Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha, and debutant Irfan Khan, making for a well-rounded mix of experience and fresh energy.

In the bowling department, Pakistan will rely on a four-pronged pace attack featuring Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, and Mohammad Hasnain. Salman Ali Agha will provide the spin option, offering flexibility in the lineup.

Pakistan's Playing XI for first ODI against Australia: Mohammad Rizwan (c), Salman Ali Agha (vc), Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Hasnain.

Farhan backs Rizwan

Top-order batsman Sahibzada Farhan has praised Mohammad Rizwan, who has been appointed as Pakistan's new white-ball captain, calling him a "fighter" with great leadership potential. Rizwan takes over from Babar Azam just before a challenging tour of Australia, which includes three ODIs and three T20Is.

Farhan, who is part of the T20I squad but not included in the ODI lineup, expressed confidence in Rizwan's ability to lead the team effectively.

"Rizwan has been my captain before, so playing under him won't be difficult," Farhan stated during a media interaction at the training camp at National Bank Stadium in Karachi.

He believes Rizwan's competitive spirit, evident in both club and international matches, will benefit the national team.

"He will turn out to be a good captain for Pakistan. He is a fighter, whether in club matches or international games - his style remains the same," he added.

Having made his T20I debut in 2018 and recently captaining the Pakistan Shaheens on a tour of Darwin, Farhan feels well-prepared for the Australian conditions.

"We have toured Australia before and played One-Day matches there, so I am familiar with the conditions," he said.

Farhan is willing to bat in any position for the team but hopes to bat in his usual spot.

"I'll be ready to play wherever I'm needed, but I hope to get a chance to play in the same position I play in domestic matches," he noted.

Confident in his abilities, Farhan highlighted his strong performance in domestic cricket over the past few years.

"For the past three or four years, I've been one of the top performers in domestic cricket, and if given the opportunity, I'll perform well," he remarked.

He also acknowledged the pressure of playing at the international level but emphasized the importance of giving players multiple chances to prove themselves.

"There's always pressure in international cricket, but one or two matches aren't enough to judge a player's career. In my opinion, it's essential to give players a fair chance, like five or six matches, to prove themselves," he concluded.