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[wasted_talent]

Interesting to read today that Pakistan have called up Mohammed Hafeez to the test squad v the Aussies. He last played a test in 2016. Wonder if this is a backward step for them?

Looking at the squad picked, i'd guess they should go with
6 batsmen
saf
4 bowlers

3 spinners and 2 seamers surely the make up for these pitches?

[Rob580]

They'll pick Shadab at 7 I would have thought and push Sarfraz up to 6.

Will be a decent series. Pak should win, but Nathan Lyon is a serious bowler as is Starc. Not sold on Neser & Holland though, and Mitch Marsh will struggle on these pitches in both disciplines, I reckon.

I don't think they'll be the sandpits like in Sri Lanka, more one for finger spinners to fire it into, in the way Ajmal & Rehman used to.

[wasted_talent]

i'd personally think they should go:

Inam
Azhar
Babar
Haris
Asad
Hafeez
Saf
Shadab
Abbas
Wahab
Yasir

Not sure you need 3 seamers on these wickets, so pack the batting.

Lyon looks a threat for sure, has bowled beautifully in the current game v the A side.

[Rob580]

Yeah, I like the look of that. I think they might play Faheem Ashraf instead of Hafeez, but I guess it depends how the wickets look.

More of a mystery is going to be the Aussie line up!

[wasted_talent]

Purely based on history, i just dont think 3 seamers is the way to go. The 2-0 series loss to Sri Lanka, should tell Pakistan that.

Yup, the aussies side is a big guessing game. Though they have got good batting time out in the middle in thia warm up game. However, Pakistan didnt pick one specialist spinner.

[t2ylo]

When does the series start and please tell me it's on TV in the UK?

[ppccopener]

mohammed amir left out of a big series, unthinkable previously

he's not the same player as he was I don't think

[brokenbat]

aussies have a great chance to win.. Lyon has improved leaps and bounds and will threaten a relatively inexperienced batting lineup.

[Novak]

As a Pakistani supporter I think Aussies will do really well

Pakistani bowling line up looks not great and batting often fragile

Safraz may be on last legs unless has big series

[Mister Le Chiffre]

Surely if the ageless Hafeez plays he would open as he has in the past? Move Azhar Ali to 3. Sarfraz form has been pretty poor in recent times so batting 6 wouldn't really be justified

As for Australia, Renshaw got smashed in the head fielding at short leg. Looks like he'll be ok for the Test though. Australian side looks unrecognisable

[HellomynameisJ]

Personally I'm really looking forward to this series, a truly testing time for Australia, I think the homeground advantage will probably tip the series for Pakistan, but I don't think Australia will be as bad as everyone thinks, or at least I hope not.

[InternalTraining]

Team AUS has a lot to prove and they will play their hearts out! I expect a great Test series.

If Finch opens, it'd be interesting to see how he adjusts.

[Novak]

Who has the UK rights guys ?

[Mister Le Chiffre]

Australia named their XI for the first test, three debutants

Aaron Finch, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Mitch Marsh, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Tim Paine (c), Mitchell Starc, Peter Siddle, Nathan Lyon, Jon Holland.

Looks a dreadful side on paper. Khawaja hapless against spin. Mitchell marsh at 3 thought it was a joke. Head plays all his home matches Adelaide yet only average mid 30s in red ball cricket. Labushchafne? No idea who he is. Siddle ? Thought he was retired.

 Shadab Khan ruled out for the hosts with the groin injury sustained in the Asia cup

[Novak]

Thanks for the team heads up

How do we watch the first test in the UK ?