New Skipper Mohammad Rizwan Focussed On Getting Combinations Right For Champions Trophy

Pakistan 's new ODI skipper Mohammad Rizwan on Sunday said three-match ODI series against Australia, starting Monday, will kick-start ir preparations for Champions Trophy back home next year.

Rizwan had replaced Babar Azam as Pakistan's white-ball skipper, last Sunday.

"We are scheduled to play a good number of ODIs before next year’s ICC Champions Trophy back in Pakistan," Rizwan said in a statement released by PCB on eve of first ODI.

“ forthcoming series beginning with Australia, n Zimbabwe, South Africa and home tri-nation tournament will help us assemble a right combination going into mega event.”

Pakistan are defending champions of Champions Trophy having won last edition in 2017. y beat arch-rivals India in final.

With recent reset, Pakistan are aiming to find ir right combination ahead of tournament.

Pakistan have handed debuts to Muhammad Irfan Khan and Saim Ayub for ir series-opener as y have revealed ir playing XI.

World champions Australia have also named ir XI with a new opening pair Matt Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk.

Pakistan XI for first ODI: Mohammad Rizwan (captain/wicket-keeper), Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Hasnain.

Australia XI for first ODI: Pat Cummins (c), Matt Short, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Steve Smith, Josh Inglis (wk), Marnus Labuschagne, Aaron Hardie, Glenn Maxwell, Sean Abbott, Mitchell Starc, Adam Zampa.