Pakistan are scheduled to tour Australia in December and January for a three-match Test series and a five-match ODI series
Australia opening batsman David Warner has claimed the top position in the International Cricket Council One-Day International rankings following his terrific form in the recently concluded series against Pakistan.
.jpg "Azhar Ali had a disappointing ODI series")
International Cricket Council on Friday confirmed that Pakistan skipper Azhar Ali will face a one-match suspension following his team's poor over-rate in the recently concluded fifth One-Day International against Australia in Adelaide.
.jpg "David Warner is also the player of the match and also the player of the series")
David Warner and Travis Head shared the record partnership for any wicket for Australia in One-Day Internationals as the home team completed a 57-run win while defending 370 against Pakistan in the fifth One-Day International in Adelaide to seal the series 4-1.
.jpg "David Warner scored 130 runs off 119 deliveries")
After a blistering 130 from David Warner powered Australia to 353 for six in the 50 overs, Josh Hazlewood and Adam Zampa shared six wickets between them to dismiss Pakistan for 267 to secure a 86-run win in the fourth One-Day International in Sydney.
Steven Smith scored an unbeaten century while Peter Handscomb on his debut piled on 82 runs as Australia completed a chase of 264 against Pakistan with seven wickets in hand in the third One-Day International in Perth.
.jpg "Peter Handscomb has scored 399 runs from four Tests")
Australian coach Darren Lehmann confirmed that Victoria batsman Peter Handscomb will be making his debut against Pakistan in the third One-Day International at WACA on Thursday.
Victoria all-rounder Marcus Stoinis is set to replace Mitchell Marsh in the Australian squad for the remainder of the One-Day International series against Pakistan.
.jpg "Mohammad Hafeez scored 72 runs")
Mohammad Hafeez led Pakistan with a 72-run knock as they chased down 221 against Australia in 47.4 overs with six wickets in hand in the second One-Day International in Melbourne to level the series 1-1.
Matthew Wade slammed his maiden One-Day International century as Australia secured a comfortable 92-run win while defending a total of 269 runs against Pakistan in the first game of the series in Brisbane.
.jpg "Glenn Maxwell returns to the team after missing out on 13 games")
Australian captain Steven Smith has confirmed that uncapped Queensland duo Chris Lynn and Billy Stanlake will make their debut in the first One-Day International against Pakistan which kicks-off on Friday.
After Babar Azam led Pakistanis charge with the bat with a 98-run knock, a collective effort from the bowlers saw the visitors register a massive 196-run win over Cricket Australia XI in the tour game in Brisbane.
.jpg "Josh Hazlewood was the leading wicket-taker in the Test series against Pakistan")
Australian pacer Josh Hazlewood has been rested for the first One-Day International against Pakistan in Brisbane to manage his workload.
Australia selectors have included uncapped Queensland batsman Chris Lynn for the upcoming One-Day International series against Pakistan.
A collective effort from the Australian bowlers saw them dismiss Pakistan for 244 in the final innings and register a massive 220-run victory in the third and final Test in Sydney, thereby completing a 3-0 series victory.
.jpg "David Warner smashed the fastest 50 for Australia in Tests")
Australia scored 241 runs in just 32 overs to set a target of 465 runs in the final innings following which Pakistan lost Sharjeel Khan and were restricted to 55 for one at stumps on day four of the third Test in Sydney.
Younis Khan slammed his 34th Test century but it is Australia, who are dominating the third Test in Sydney after restricting Pakistan to 271 for eight on a rain hit day three, thereby maintaining a first innings lead of 267 runs over the visitors.
.jpg "Josh Hazlewood (left) and Azhar Ali in a conversation at the end of second day's play")
After Australia declared their innings at 538 for eight, unbeaten fifties from Azhar Ali and Younis Khan helped Pakistan reach 126 for two at stumps on day two of the third Test in Sydney.
.jpg "Matt Renshaw celebrating his maiden Test century")
Matt Renshaw became the fourth youngest batsman to score 150 while David Warner slammed 95-ball 113 as Australia went on to post 365 for three on day one of the third Test against Pakistan in Sydney.
Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq has made it clear that retirement will not be in his mind when his team will take on Australia in the third and final Test in Sydney.
Australia have made two changes to their line-up for the third Test against Pakistan in Sydney with all-rounder Hilton Cartwright set to make his debut.
.jpg "Ashton Agar is in line to play his third Test for Australia")
Australia have recalled left-arm-spinners Steve O'Keefe and Ashton Agar for the third and final Test against Pakistan in Sydney.
Pakistan Test skipper Misbah-ul-Haq hinted that he is considering retirement from international cricket even before the third and final Test against Australia in Sydney.
.jpg "Mitchell Starc picked four wickets on the final day")
Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon shared seven wickets between them as Australia managed to wrap Pakistan for 163 in the final innings and secure an innings victory in the second Test in Melbourne, thereby claiming the series 2-0.
.jpg "Steve Smith scored his 17th Test century")
After Steven Smith completed yet another century, rain lashed out at Melbourne Cricket Ground washing out the entire final session and halting Australia's progress at 465 for six at the end of day four of the second Test.
.jpg "David Warner scored 144 runs off 143 deliveries")
David Warner's brisk just about run-a-ball 144-run knock and Khawaja's gritty unbeaten 95 helped Australia to put up a strong response to Pakistan's 443 as the host trailed by only 165 runs with eight wickets in hand on day three of the Melbourne Test match.
.jpg "Azhar Ali was among the runs once again")
Azhar Ali remained unbeaten on 139 as he helped Pakistan to reach 310 for six before rain brought a premature end to the second day as well in the second Test against Australia in Melbourne.
.jpg "Jackson Bird was impressive once again for Australia")
Jackson Bird struck twice before rain intervened as Australia restricted Pakistan to 142 for four in the 50.5 overs of play that were possible on day one of the second Test in Melbourne.
Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq said the team is upbeat ahead of the second Test against Australia which begins in Melbourne on Monday.
Australian speedster Jackson Bird revealed that he does not have any specific plan to target Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq after his success against the veteran batsman in the recently concluded Brisbane Test.
.jpg "Mitchell Starc will be playing his first Boxing Day Test against Pakistan")
Australia pace spearhead Mitchell Starc said he is raring to go at Pakistan as he is set to feature in his first Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.
Pakistan batting coach Grant Flower insisted that skipper Misbah-ul-Haq is not concerned about his low run of scores in the recent games and is backing the veteran to make an impact in the remaining two Tests against Australia.
Australian opening batsman Matt Renshaw stated that he is keen to play his first game at Melbourne Cricket Ground against Pakistan in the second game of the series which also is incidentally the Boxing Day Test.
Western Australia all-rounder Hilton Cartwright has been added to the Australian squad for the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan in Melbourne.
For scoring a century and a fifty in the two innings and leading Australia to a 39-run win in the first Test against Pakistan in Brisbane, Steven Smith is the Cricket World Player of the Week.
Australia saw off a spirited fight from Asad Shafiq and Yasir Shah on the final day as they managed to beat Pakistan by 39 runs while defending a total of 490 runs to win the first Test in Brisbane and claim a 1-0 lead in the series.
Australia assistant coach David Saker said the decision of the umpires to extend play by an additional 30 minutes in an already extended play has not gone well with the bowlers.
Asad Shafiq scored a valiant unbeaten century while Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz provided proper support as Pakistan reached 382 for eight in pursuit of their chase of 490 against Australia at stumps on day four of the first Test in Brisbane.
Australia's resounding success in hosting day-night Test matches was once again evident in Brisbane as the venue recorded the highest attendance in the first three days of the fifth Test against Pakistan.
.jpg "Usman Khawaja top scored for Australia with 74 in the second innings")
After a strong batting performance in the second innings helped Australia set a target of 490 runs in the final innings, Pakistan managed to end day three at 70 for two in the first Test in Brisbane.
Australian leg spinner Adam Zampa expressed his frustration after he was overlooked in the recent home One-Day International series against New Zealand despite being the leading wicket-taker this year in the format.
After Peter Handscomb's maiden Test century powered Australia to 429 in their first innings, the seamers were all over the Pakistan batsmen restricting them to 97 for eight at stumps on day two of the first Test in Brisbane.
Steven Smith continued his dream run with the bat as he notched another fine unbeaten century to help Australia post 288 for three at stumps on day one of the first Test against Pakistan in Brisbane.
.jpg "Steven Smith wary of Mohammad Amir and Yasir Shah threats")
Australian captain Steven Smith believes the presence of Mohammad Amir and Yasir Shah makes the Pakistan team a formidable one in the upcoming three-match Test series.
.jpg "Steven Smith is set for another interesting battle against Pakistan")
Australia captain Steven Smith revealed that his team is considering all pace options for the first Test against Pakistan in Brisbane.
.jpg "Yasir Shah is the top ranked Test bowler for Pakistan")
Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur confirmed that leg-spinner Yasir Shah is on course to play the first Test against Australia in Brisbane despite concerns of back problem.
Australian pace spearhead Mitchell Starc believes that unfamiliar conditions will hurt Pakistan ahead of the Brisbane Test which would allow the hosts to take a 1-0 early lead in the three Test series starting December 15th.
Pakistan Cricket chief selector, Inzamam-ul-Haq has advised his side to play 'positive and attacking' cricket in the upcoming three Test series against Australia starting on December 15th.
After setting a 311 runs target on day three, the Pakistan bowling unit led by Mohammad Nawaz bundled out Cricket Australia XI in 27.3 overs to complete a dominant 201 runs victory at Cairns on Saturday.
.jpg "Pakistan struggle with bat again against pink ball")
After three-wicket hauls from Mohammad Amir, Rahat Ali and Wahab Riaz dismissed Cricket Australia XI for 114 in their first innings, Pakistan batsmen struggled in their second innings to combat the pink ball and found themselves at 124 for five at stumps on day two of the tour game in Cairns.
.jpg "Yasir Shah missed the tour game against Cricket Australia XI with back injury")
Uncapped Pakistan left-arm-spinner Mohammad Asghar has been added as the 17th member in the Test squad for the upcoming series against Australia.
After Cameron Valente and Mark Steketee shared seven wickets between them to dismiss Pakistan for 208, Mohammad Amir picked three wickets in two overs to restrict Cricket Australia XI for three for four at stumps on day one of the tour game in Cairns.
Australian selectors have named an unchanged 12-man squad for the first Test against Pakistan in Brisbane starting next week.
