Australia kick off the home summer with twin Tests against visiting Pakistan, a side which has a new captain in the form of Azhar Ali. The home team has now moved on from the joys of Ashes series, where England drew the series but Australia retained the urn by virtue of a series win in 2017/18. The two Test matches will also mark Steven Smith’s and David Warner’s return to the longest format in Australia.
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The home side will miss out on the series of James Pattinson and Mitchell Marsh, courtesy their own actions. Pattinson has been banned for one match for violating Cricket Australia’s code of conduct. Marsh, on the other hand, suffered a hand injury after punching a wall during a domestic match.
Pakistan, whose new-look coaching staff headed by Misbah-ul-Haq has been under the scanner right since its appointment, will have to pull off a heist if they are to win a series here. Barring India, no visiting team has won a series in Australia.
Pakistan are set to unleash pacer Naseem Shah, who has drawn much attention, courtesy his pace. All eye will also be on Mohammad Abbas, who has done wonders on UAE pitches which do not assist pace much. With 10 wickets in England last year, he was also Player of the Series in two-match Test series there.
Babar Azam and skipper Azhar Ali will also be the centre of attraction during the series.
Conditions –
One can expect green and bouncy wicket in Brisbane. Hence, pacers will have there say at the start but batsmen will also have much to take from this pitch. Expect an even contest between bat and ball.
Here is the likely XI of both the teams –
Australia have confirmed their playing XI and have welcomed back Joe Burns, who hit 189 runs in his previous Test against Sri Lanka earlier this year. It means Cameron Bancroft will continue to sit out while Michael Neser’s wait to wear baggy green will extend by one more Test.
Playing XI: David Warner, Joe Burns, Steven Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head, Matthew Wade, Tim Paine, Mithcell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon
Pakistan have much to ponder about their playing XI. There are a number of youngsters in the side along with experienced campaigners. Abbas will get tough competition from young pacers but might lead the pace attack.
Likely playing XI: Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood, Azhar Ali, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Yasir Shah
My Dream 11 team for AUS vs PAK 1st Test:
David Warner (Vice-captain), Joe Burns, Steven Smith (Captain), Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Hazlewood, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Abbas, Natha Lyon, Pat Cummins