Rizwan-led Pakistan set to take on Australia in first ODI on Monday

Pakistan's newly appointed white-ball skipper Mohammad Rizwan addresses a press conference ahead of the cricket team's tour to Australia, in Karachi on October 29, 2024. (AFP/File)

• Mohammad Rizwan was last month appointed 31st ODI captain for Pakistan
• Pakistan have summoned debutants Irfan Khan, Saim Ayub for the first ODI

ISLAMABAD: Mohammad Rizwan’s first outing as white-ball captain will begin on Monday when Pakistan take on hosts Australia in a three-match One-Day International (ODI) series.
The first game will be played at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, while the second ODI will begin on Nov. 8 at the Adelaide Oval in Adelaide. Both teams will then travel to Perth where the third ODI will take place on Nov. 10 at the Perth Stadium.
Pakistan have also announced their playing XI for the first ODI, with Muhammad Irfan Khan and Saim Ayub making their debut. Aamir Jamal, Arafat Minhas, Faisal Akram and Haseebullah are the other uncapped players in the ODI squad.
“It is an honor to lead the Pakistan team and we are ready to take on Australia in their own backyard. We all know Australia are a very good side, and world champions, but we look forward to competing hard as we have a number of young and exciting players in our squad and it is their chance to grab the opportunities coming their way,” Rizwan said, reflecting on the team preparations ahead of the ODI series.
“We have had productive training sessions here in Melbourne since our arrival and with the support of Almighty, we look forward to produce positive results in the series.”
He said he was expecting fans to come in good numbers to support the side in the series as they had been a huge support for the Pakistan team wherever they played in Australia.
Australia’s ODI captain Pat Cummins said it was always great to have such high-intensity games for youngsters to get going.
“Pakistan are quite a decent side and they have players who have scored big runs. We have played against them in recent years, so I think it’s always a fairly even match,” he said. “There is going to be good crowd tomorrow at the MCG as we are playing against Pakistan.”
The two sides last met in the 50-over format during the 2023 World Cup on October 20, where Australia defeated Pakistan by 62 runs at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, Bengaluru. The last time both sides featured in a bilateral ODI series was in March-April 2022, when Australia visited Pakistan and the hosts won the series 2-1.
The ODI series will be followed by three-match Twenty-20 International (T20I) series, which will be played on November 14, 16 and 18.
Pakistan Playing XI for the first ODI: Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (captain/wicket-keeper), Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Hasnain.
Schedule of matches:
1st ODI, Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne (2.30pm local time start)
2nd ODI, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (2pm local time start)
3rd ODI, Perth Stadium, Perth (11.30am local time start)
1st T20I, Brisbane Cricket Ground, Brisbane (6pm local time start)
2nd T20I, Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney (7pm local time start)
3rd T20I, Bellerive Oval, Hobart (7pm local time start)