AUS vs PAK Test: The second match of the three-match Test series between Australia and Pakistan is to be played in Melbourne from tomorrow i.e. 26th December. Before this match, the host team announced their playing 11. Pat Cummins has decided to go with the same 11 players who played the first Test. In the first match of the Test series, Australia defeated Pakistan by a huge margin of 360 runs. There has been no change in the Australian playing 11. Whereas Pakistan has selected 12 players for the Boxing Day Test, the final playing 11 will be announced during the toss.
Pat Cummins said during the press conference that Scott Boland is unlucky not to get a chance to play at his home ground. Boland, while making his debut on this ground during Ashes 2021-22, showed the way to the pavilion by giving 7 runs to 6 English batsmen.
Pat Cummins said ‘We are huge fans of Scotty, I don’t think it’s any secret. You rarely play seven Test matches with the same (fast) bowling line-up, there are always going to be some flaws or things that come up. If anything happens he is ready to come into the team, so I am sure he will play at some point. The message to Boland is clear that we like what you are bringing, unfortunately, you missed this opportunity but don’t change… and stay prepared.
AUS vs PAK: The Pakistani team has selected 12 players for the Boxing Day Test
Fast bowler Khurram Shehzad has been ruled out of the series due to a rib injury, so the visiting team will have to make at least one change in the playing 11. Apart from this, both the specialist spinners selected in the squad, Noman Ali (appendicitis) and Abrar Ahmed (right leg injury) are also unavailable. This may open the doors for off-spinner Sajid Khan to play in Melbourne.
Veteran wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed has been dropped after a poor performance in Perth and the two-day practice match against Victorian XI on Friday-Saturday, as Mohammad Rizwan returned to the side after scoring an unbeaten half-century.
Captain Shan Masood said, ‘We think Rizwan is ready and we can give some rest to Sarfaraz so that he can recover and make a comeback.’
AUS vs PAK Test: Will Sajid Khan sit on the bench?
If Pakistan comes out with a full seam attack then Sajid Khan may have to sit on the bench. However, this is less likely. It is believed that apart from Sajid, one of Hasan Ali and Mir Hamza will get a chance. Mohammad Wasim Jr. is not a part of the 12-player squad, so the debate has come down to Hasan and Hamza.
Only by winning this second test match against Australia will Pakistan’s hopes of winning the test series against Australia remain alive. Also, let us tell you that the Pakistan cricket team has not been able to win any Test series in Australia after 1995.
Australia XI: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (captain), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
Pakistan XII: Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafiq, Shan Masood (captain), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Aga, Shaheen Afridi, Hasan Ali, Mir Hamza, Amir Jamal, Sajid Khan.
(Final 11 to be confirmed during toss)
Also Read – IND vs SA Test Series: Virat Kohli is available for selection, and practiced hard with his teammates
