Pak vs Aus: BBL star to make debut for Australia in Karachi Test

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: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Swepson