Pakistan vs Australia: 1st Test, Preview- Tim Paine and Co's mission to cease six-month win drought

The conditions are expected to favour Pakistan, which may give them an upper hand in the red-ball fixtures.

Published - 06 Oct 2018, 17:06 IST | Updated - 06 Oct 2018, 17:06 IST

2 Min Read

Both Australia and Pakistan haven’t had the best of campaigns in their recent international fixtures. Now they are set to lock horns in the first Test of the series at Dubai International Cricket Stadium, starting tomorrow. As far as Test cricket is concerned, the visitors haven’t won a single match after the shambolic ball-tampering scandal back in March at Cape Town in South Africa.

To be more precise, they haven’t won any international match since then and would be desperate to notch their first win after six months. On the contrary, Pakistan won the Lord’s Test against England but lost at Headingley. Sarfraz Ahmed’s men also put forth a resounding show against Test debutants Ireland. However, their story in limited-overs cricket hasn’t been impressive.

After winning the triangular and ODI series in Zimbabwe, the Men in Green couldn’t replicate their form in the Asia Cup and were a recipient of severe criticism. They are in with a chance of making amends and the conditions are expected to favour them, which may give them an upper hand in the red-ball fixtures against an opposition which is still reeling from the fiasco earlier this year.

Team Combination

Pakistan

The home team is certain to include all-rounder Bilal Asif, who came in place of Shadab Khan. Mohammad Hafeez will take the field tomorrow. Azhar Ali and Imam-ul-Haq are the opening batsmen, which means that Fakhar Zaman will have to wait for his chance. Leg-spinner Yasir Shah is set also set to make a Test comeback after a year. Either of Mir Hamza or pacer Wahab Riaz will play.

Predicted XI

Azhar Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Haris Sohail, Mohammad Hafeez, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Sarfraz Ahmed (C & wk), Bilal Asif, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Abbas, Mir Hamza/Wahab Riaz

Australia

Australia is set to give all-rounder Marcus Labuschagne his maiden international cap. Aaron Finch will also make his Test debut and will open the batting with Usman Khawaja. Shaun and Mitchell Marsh need to shoulder responsibility in the middle order. Mitchell Starc and Peter Siddle are expected to share the new cherry. Jon Holland and Nathan Lyon are the spinners.

Playing eleven

Aaron Finch, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Mitch Marsh, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Tim Paine (c & wk), Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle, Nathan Lyon, Jon Holland.

Focus will be on

Yasir Shah- Pakistan

Shah has been one of the most prolific wicket-taker for Pakistan, especially in Test cricket and he will again need to spearhead the bowling attack. However, his team would be hoping that he doesn’t turn out to be rusty owing to his break from the format. The Australian batsmen have strained against leg-spinners in the past and Shah has the chance to make a resounding comeback.

Nathan Lyon- Australia

The off-spinner was outstanding in the warm-up match against Pakistan ‘A’ courtesy of an eight-wicket haul and it goes without saying that he may need to do a chunk of the work with the leather for the visiting team. He has played quite a few matches in India and Bangladesh and has tasted success. The tweaker has to bring forth all his experience into play.

Stat Attack

19 – Each of the 19 Test matches between Pakistan and Australia since the start of 1999 has produced a result.

66 – Nathan Lyon has a bowling average of 66 against Pakistan in this format. The off-spinner claimed 14 wickets against them in five Tests at a strike-rate of 105.8.