Will Babar Azam bowl in the first Australia Test?

Pakistan captain Babar Azam has hinted at bowling some off-spin in the first Test against Australia at the Pindi Cricket Stadium.

Babar flipped it right and the coin toss turned in his favor. Meanwhile, while revealing details about the pitch and playing XI, Babar said that he is also a spinner and can potentially bowl during the Test match.

Babar Azam 🗣️"We have gone with two front-line pacers and two spinners. I’m a spinner as well!" 😅#PAKvAUS pic.twitter.com/4rjA3nWjUi

— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) March 4, 2022

"The pitch looks nice so we'll try to put runs on the board," Babar said. "I'm also a spinner," he adds with a smile. 

The home side has already opted to field three spinners, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan and spin-bowling all-rounder Iftikhar Ahmed.

The decision of adding three spinners emphasizes that the pitch will suit the spinners, however, Australia have gone with four seamers and Nathan Lyon, the only spinner.

It must be noted that Pakistan lost Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf, and Haris Rauf were ruled out of the first Test against Australia.

Playing XIs for first Australia Test

Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam (c), Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Iftikhar Ahmed, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi

Australia: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood