Mohammad Rizwan & Hasan Ali Dropped As Pakistan Name Playing XI For 1st Test Vs Australia
Captain Shan Masood will bat at number 3 [X.com]
In a significant development, Pakistan have announced their playing XI for the first Test of the upcoming three-match series against Australia. The visitors have dropped Mohammad Rizwan, including former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed as their keeper-batter for this high-voltage encounter in Perth.
Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique will open the batting for Pakistan, with Shan Masood and Babar Azam slotted at number three and four, respectively. Explosive batter Saud Shakeel, who has had a fabulous year, will bat at number five, while Sarfaraz Ahmed will follow him at six.
Pakistan have included Agha Salman in the playing XI in order to ensure batting depth in Perth. Faheem Ashraf plays as the seam bowling all-rounder, with Shaheen Afridi, Aamer Jamal and Khurram Shahzad set to play as pure bowlers.
This will be the maiden Test appearance for Jamal and Shahzad, who have been rewarded for their impressive performances in the domestic circuit.
Pakistan's playing XI for 1st Test vs Australia
Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (C), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed (WK), Agha Salman, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Aamer Jamal, Khurram Shahzad
 "Debashis Sarangi")
