Australia skipper Pat Cummins has announced the playing XI for the upcoming Test against Pakistan in Karachi. The game will start on March 12, with both teams looking to take a lead in the three-match series. The first Test in Rawalpindi ended in a tame draw. Batting first, the hosts accumulated 476/4 before declaring the innings. In reply, the visitors amassed 459 all-out, trailing by 17 runs on Day five.
On the 5th day, The Babar Azam-led side piled up on the misery of the Pat Cummins-led side as the openers, Imam Ul Haq (111*) and Abdullah Shafique (136*) added 252 runs before the game ended in a draw. The cricket’s governing body rated the pitch ‘below average’. On the other hand, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairperson Ramiz Raja said that the wicket was ‘not a good advertisement for Test cricket.
Meanwhile, Australia skipper, in a virtual press conference, announced the playing XI for the next game. The team has decided to rest pacer Josh Hazlewood and will hand the Test debut to leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson. Rest of the team remains the same.
“He’s pumped and to be honest, we’re all pumped for Swepo,” Cummins said. ‘It’s been a long time running drinks over the last couple of years, but he is absolutely ready. He has been a huge part of the squad, even though he hasn’t been playing. So we’re really excited to see him get a chance,” he added.
Australia XI:Â David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Swepson
