Pakistan skipper Shan Masood has congratulated former captain Babar Azam for playing his milestone 50th Test match as Pakistan take on Australia in the first Test of the three-match series at the Optus Stadium in Perth.
Pakistan’s tour of Australia: Full coverage
Fast-bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has been named the vice-captain of the Pakistan side for the Test series. The visitors have never won a Test series against Australia and last won a Test match on Australia soil way back in 1995.
Speaking ahead of the match, Masood said the sample size of match in the Optus Stadium is small but has helped teams batting first. Australia won the toss and opted to bat first in Perth.
“We wanted to have a bat first as well. This ground’s sample size is very small. Only 3 Test matches have been played here, and the batting first team has had success. So we wanted to bat first. You have to put the toss aside and put in a good bowling performance. We’ve had some ideal preparation and some match practice,” said Masood.
He went on to congratulate Babar for playing his 50th Test match for Pakistan. Babar has scored 3772 runs in 49 Tests at an average of 47.75 while hitting nine centuries and 26 fifties.
“The guys are pretty excited. We want to play more Test cricket, it’s pinnacle. Like guys desire to play 100 Test matches. Babar Azam is playing his 50th Test. So congratulations to him, and all the best,” Masood added.
Masood said Pakistan have some world-class players in their side, while confirming that Aamir Jamal and Khurram Shahzad would be making their debuts.
“We have some world-class players in the side. Two debutants. Aamir Jamal and Khurram Shahzad. Both have been brilliant in the domestic set-up. Today, the opportunity comes up with Shaheen leading the pace attack,” said Masood.
Australia starting XI
David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (C), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
Pakistan starting XI
Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood (C), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Aamer Jamal, Khurram Shahzad
