PAK vs AUS: Test series – 5 players to watch out for

Team Australia are making their first tour of Pakistan after a long haul of 24 years. The tour will start with a three-match Test series with the first match to be played in Rawalpindi starting from March 4. Here’s a list of five players to watch out for in the upcoming series.

1. Steve Smith (Australia)

One of the modern-day greats and vice-captain of the squad, Steve Smith will be critical to Australia’s success. A lot will depend on the shoulders of the batter for making the series successful for his side. The 32-year old batter has played 82 matches in the longest format of the game in which he has amassed a total of 7,784 runs at a staggering average of almost 60. He also has 33 fifties and 27 hundreds under his name in the Test format.

2. Marnus Labuschagne (Australia)

Australian batter MarnusLabuschagne has been highly proactive sharing several videos on social media while doing batting drills to prepare for his first tour of Pakistan. The 27-year old has been a key performer for his side in both Tests and ODIs. Labuschagne has represented Australia in 23 Test matches scoring 2,220 runs in the process. The right-handed batter averages 56.92 with a strike rate of 53.77 in the longest format of the game.

3. Nathan Lyon (Australia)

Veteran off-spinner Nathan Lyon will be the front-line tweaker for the visitors during their Test series against Pakistan. The 34-year old spinner will have the responsibility to provide vital breakthroughs for his side and bowl tight lines from one end while the Australian pacers can inflict some damage. Lyon has played 105 matches for Australia in the longest format of the game, taking 415 wickets in the process. 

4. Babar Azam (Pakistan)

Skipper Babar Azam will be one of the key performers for the home side against Australia. The stylish batter will try to anchor the innings for Pakistan while other batters play around him. The 27-year old batter has played 37 Test matches and scored 2,461 runs with an average of 43.17. 

5. Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pakistan)

Left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi will have the responsibility to inflict early damages with the new ball. Known for his ability to swing the ball late, Afridi will be the main weapon for his skipper to punch a hole at the Australian batting order. The 21-year-old bowler has represented Pakistan in 21 Test matches and has scalped a total of 86 wickets.