PAK vs AUS 1st ODI Toss Update: Pakistan Opts To Bowl First; Oliver Peake, Arafat Minhas To Debut

PAK vs AUS 1st ODI Toss Update. Image Credits- AFP

The Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium is all set to stage the first of the three ODIs between Pakistan and Australia on Saturday afternoon. Both teams will look to take an early advantage in the three-match bilateral series, which is seen as preparation for the 2027 ODI World Cup.

The hosts, the Men in Green, are coming off a horrible defeat at the hands of Bangladesh in the two-game away Test series, where they were whitewashed under Shan Masood's leadership. However, with the change in formats, they will hope to turn the tide.

Moreover, Pakistan ODI captain Shaheen Afridi has a more balanced side, comprising Babar Azam, Salman Ali Agha, Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf in the ranks.

On the contrary, the World Champions, Australia, have chosen fresher faces for the tour of Pakistan. Although Mitchell Marsh was supposed to lead the Aussies in Pat Cummins' absence, an injury to the allrounder has brought the honours to Josh Inglis. Ahead of the PAK vs AUS, 1st ODI, we take a look at the toss winner.

It is worth mentioning that the PAK vs AUS 1st ODI is the 1000 ODI fixture for the Men in Green, who have become the third nation to play 1000 matches in the format.

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PAK vs AUS, 1st ODI Toss Update

Pakistan have won the toss and asked to Australia to bat first in Rawalpindi. At the toss, Shaheen Afridi

Oliver Peake, Arafat Minhas making ODI debuts

The 19-year-old Oliver Peake is making his Australia debut in the PAK vs AUS 1st ODI, as confirmed by the Australia skipper Josh Inglis before the toss. The Victorian becomes the 252nd Australian cricketer to play in the ODIs, alongside the youngest-ever specialist batter to play for the Aussies.

From Pakistan's quarters, all-rounder Arafat Minhas is playing his debut for Pakistan. He has already played for four T20Is.

PAK vs AUS, 1st ODI Toss Update: Playing XIs

Pakistan Playing XI: Sahibzada Farhan, Maaz Sadaqat, Babar Azam, Ghazi Ghori (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Abdul Samad, Shadab Khan, Arafat Minhas, Shaheen Afridi (c), Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed

Australia Playing XI: Matthew Short, Alex Carey, Josh Inglis (c/wk), Marnus Labuschagne, Cameron Green, Matt Renshaw, Oliver Peake, Nathan Ellis, Adam Zampa, Billy Stanlake, Matthew Kuhnemann

PAK vs AUS, 1st ODI Toss Update: What the captains had to say

Shaheen Afridi (Pakistan Captain): "We would like to bowl first.

(On the pitch) It looks like it's on the spinning side. We played a practice game here, the ball was coming onto the bat under lights. We will try to keep them under a low score and chase it.

When you play for Pakistan, it is a dream, when you are leading the team in 1000th match, it is a big achievement. We will try to enjoy the occasion and try to win.

The World Cup is on our mind, we will try to build momentum and put in a good performance.

Yes, Arafat Minhas is making his debut and I wish him the best of luck."

Josh Inglis (Australia Captain): "[What he would have done?] I think we just got to assess the conditions quickly and communicate within the side and figure out how to go about it on this surface, it looks a bit dry. Hopefully, put a big total on the board.

[On going spin heavy] Potentially, I mean. It is just the squad we have gathered at the moment. We sort of thought we will get those conditions again after those T20s and looks like we have got something similar.

[On team news] Yes, Oliver Peake is making his debut today. He's special, got a start to his career. He's got a really good head on his shoulders. We have seen in big moments, he's stood out. Probably more such moments to come."