Pakistan vs Australia: Visitors to field three debutants in the first Test

Australia are set to hand over Test debuts to three players the first Test against Pakistan at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Sunday. This move is part of a major overhaul of the top order primarily because the trio of Australian cricketers who are still serving bans.

Openers David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, along with Steve Smith were all involved in the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa in late 2017, which rocked Australian cricket. The authorities hence handed Smith and Warner year-long bans, while Bancroft was suspended for nine months.

When the Australians take the field against Pakistan on Sunday, Marnus Labuschagne will join Aaron Finch and Travis Head in receiving Baggy Greens in the morning. Surprisingly, left-handed opener Matthew Renshaw has been omitted from the XI and will have to wait for his turn.

Tim Paine confirmed the news on the eve of the game according to cricket.com.au as the Australian team will be hoping to start afresh in the whites without their main players.

Peter Siddle returns for Australia

In the pace department, the experienced Peter Siddle has been selected ahead of Michael Neser for the second seam-bowling spot. Siddle will be joining fellow quick and Australia’s spearhead Mitchell Starc along with spinners Nathan Lyon and Jon Holland.

Australia are scheduled to play two Test matches followed by a three-match T20I series. The second Test begins on October 16 and will be played at Abu Dhabi’s Sheikh Zayed Stadium.

Meanwhile, the veteran Pakistan batsman Mohammad Hafeez has been included in Pakistan’s Test squad. The hosts will also see the return of Azhar Ali and Wahab Riaz. Paceman Mohammad Amir, however, misses out of the Test series following his poor form in the Asia Cup.

Australia’s playing XI for the first Test: Aaron Finch, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Mitch Marsh, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Tim Paine (c & wk), Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle, Nathan Lyon, Jon Holland.

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