Pakistan One-Day International skipper Azhar Ali has been ruled out of the second ODI against Australia after he suffered a hamstring injury during the opening game at the Gabba on January 13, which Australia won by 92 runs.
The second ODI is scheduled at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on January 15 (Sunday).
All-rounder Mohammad Hafeez will lead the side after wicket-keeper batsman Sarfraz Ahmad returned home to see his ill mother before the first game of the five-match series.
The 36-year-old right-handed batsman Hafeez stepped down as the captain after a poor show in 2014 Twenty20 World Cup. He led Pakistan in 29 T20Is, in which they won 17 and lost 11.
However, the reports suggest the 31-year-old top-order batsman Azhar is expected to recover and feature in the remaining games.
Meanwhile, the 34-year-old Sailkot-born Shoaib Malik missed the first game due to illness.
Earlier, lanky fast bowler Mohammad Irfan also returned home because of the death of his mother.
Since 1985, Pakistan has lost nine ODIs against Australia at the MCG. In 1997, Pakistan’s last ODI win at the MCG came against the West Indies.
In 2005, Pakistan played their last 50-over game at the MCG, losing by 18 runs against hosts.
Pakistan Squad for 2nd ODI: Mohammad Hafeez (Stand-in captain) Azhar Ali (ruled out of second ODI), Sharjeel Khan, Babar Azam, Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed (returned home to see his ill mother), Umar Akmal, Asad Shafiq, Mohammad Rizwan, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Hasan Ali, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Irfan (returned home after his mother passed away)