After completing a 3-0 whitewash in the Test series, Australia take on Pakistan in the first One-Day International (ODI) at The Gabba, Brisbane. Australia have already announced their side. They have decided to hand out ODI debuts to fast bowler Billy Stanlake and Chris Lynn. Josh Hazlewood as a result has been rested for the first match. Pakistan too will not play their full strength. Fast bowler Mohammad Irfan has flown back home after his mother passed away. The live streaming of the first ODI will be available online on Hotstar, while the live telecast of the match will be available on Star Sports 2 and Star Sports HD2. In Australia, the live coverage of the game will be available on BT Sport Europe.
Wicketkeeper Satfraz Ahmed too has gone back to Pakistan to attend his ailing mother, who is in a critical condition admitted in the ICU. As a result, it will be either Mohammad Rizwan or the recalled Umar Akmal, who will dawn the wicketkeeping gloves for this match. This series is extremely important for Pakistan. They will have to win as many matches as possible this year to stay in contention for an automatic qualification for the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. If they do not accumulate enough points till September 30, 2017, they will find themselves playing the qualifiers.
Full Cricket Scorecard: Pakistan vs Australia 1st ODI at Brisbane
World champions Australia on the other hand have been tough to beat at home. They have enough firepower in their squad to win this match and also the series without much trouble. The absence of Sarfraz could eventually hurt Pakistan, but it gives an opportunity to someone new to make a name.