Mohammad Rizwan to Lead Pakistan in ODI Series Opener Against Australia at Melbourne Cricket Ground

Mohammad Rizwan’s journey as Pakistan’s white-ball captain begins on Monday with the first ODI against Australia at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. The three-match ODI series will continue with games in Adelaide on 8 November and in Perth on 10 November. This series will be followed by a three-match T20I series on 14, 16, and 18 November.

This ODI series marks the first bilateral series between Pakistan and Australia since 2022, where Pakistan emerged victorious at home with a 2-1 series win. Most recently, Australia defeated Pakistan by 62 runs in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup, heightening the stakes for the current series.

The Pakistan team has named their playing XI for the opening match, with debutants Muhammad Irfan Khan and Saim Ayub joining the lineup. Irfan, 21, has previously appeared in three T20Is for Pakistan, while left-handed Saim has featured in both Tests and T20Is, showcasing strong domestic form with four List-A centuries.

Captain Mohammad Rizwan shared his excitement about leading the team, saying, “It is an honour to lead Pakistan, and we are ready to compete against Australia, the reigning world champions. We’ve had productive training sessions here in Melbourne and are prepared to give our best with a young and talented squad. We aim to build momentum leading to the ICC Champions Trophy next year in Pakistan.”

Australia’s captain Pat Cummins acknowledged the high stakes, noting, “It’s always exciting to face Pakistan, a team that consistently brings intensity and strong performances. We’re expecting a good turnout tomorrow at the MCG, and it’s a great chance for both sides to set the tone for the summer.”

Pakistan Playing XI for 1st 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
• Mohammad Hasnain

Schedule of Matches:

• 4 Nov – 1st ODI vs Australia; MCG, Melbourne (2:30 pm local time)
• 8 Nov – 2nd ODI vs Australia; Adelaide Oval, Adelaide (2:00 pm local time)
• 10 Nov – 3rd ODI vs Australia; Perth Stadium, Perth (11:30 am local time)
• 14 Nov – 1st T20I vs Australia; Gabba, Brisbane (6:00 pm local time)
• 16 Nov – 2nd T20I vs Australia; SCG, Sydney (7:00 pm local time)
• 18 Nov – 3rd T20I vs Australia; Bellerive Oval, Hobart (7:00 pm local time)