Pakistan’s star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi and opener Imam-ul-Haq have been rested for the third and last Check in opposition to Australia, which begins on Wednesday. Pakistan on Tuesday introduced their taking part in XI for the New 12 months’s Check in opposition to Australia. The 21-year-old Saim Ayub and 30-year-old Sajid Khan have been drafted into the taking part in XI. Saim, who debuted in T20 worldwide cricket in March of final yr, joins the workforce after placing up robust Listing A outcomes for Karachi. He is by no means performed a Check match earlier than. Throughout his eight T20I matches to date, he has amassed 123 runs at a median of 17.57.
After an virtually two-year hiatus, Sajid Khan rejoins the Check workforce. He final competed in opposition to Australia throughout their March 2022 tour of Pakistan. Sajid has taken 22 wickets in seven Check matches, which is a good report.
Well-known cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle had an attention-grabbing tackle the omission on Shaheen Afridi. ”Huge name to be with out Shaheen Afridi for the Sydney Check. I assumed Pakistan’s key bowlers can be Shaheen and Abrar however seems to be a bit skinny with out them. Excited to see Saim Ayub. I’ve heard rather a lot about him,” he wrote on X.
Huge name to be with out Shaheen Afridi for the Sydney Check. I assumed Pakistan’s key bowlers can be Shaheen and Abrar however seems to be a bit skinny with out them. Excited to see Saim Ayub. I’ve heard rather a lot about him.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 2, 2024
Earlier as we speak, Australia skipper Pat Cummins on Tuesday introduced an unchanged taking part in XI for the third Check and last match of the collection in opposition to Pakistan at Sydney Cricket Floor (SCG), starting on Wednesday.
Whereas it was anticipated that considered one of their three major quicks would obtain a relaxation, Cummins said that all of them has recovered nicely and is able to play. All consideration will likely be on veteran opener David Warner, who’s about to say goodbye to the longest format of the sport in entrance of his dwelling followers on the Sydney Cricket Floor on Wednesday.
In an try to present the seasoned opener the perfect send-off, Australia are anticipated to be up for the battle in opposition to Pakistan in Sydney. Warner will depart as Australia’s fifth-highest run-scorer within the format.
Sydney will host the third Check from January 3-7. Australia is presently ranked third within the ICC World Check Championship rankings and holds an unassailable 2-0 lead within the collection.
Pakistan Enjoying XI for third Check: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Sajid Khan, Hasan Ali, Mir Hamza and Aamer Jamal.
Australia XI to tackle Pakistan on the SCG: Pat Cummins (c) David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood.
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