Pak vs Aus 1st ODI - Pakistan Included Younus in Series Opener

Brisbane: Younus Khan will return to international cricket after nearly two and a half months break as the former Pakistan skipper has been included in the playing eleven for the first one-day international against Australia on Friday.

Pakistan team manager Abdul Raquib said that Younus was part of a 12-member squad finalised for the first match.

Younus last played in the first week of November against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi before pulling out of the Test tour to New Zealand insisting he needed a break from international cricket.

Younus also didn't make himself available for the Tests in Australia but was included in the one-day side by the national selectors on insistence of captain Muhammad Yousuf.

Younus had told reporters in Brisbane that he was refreshed after his break and having spent lot of time with his family.

The Aussies have a psychological edge after a thumping performance in the Tests. However, they would be aware of the fact that Pakistan is a far better side in the shorter formats of the game than in the longer ones.

Shane Watson is one of the better all rounders the game has produced. The make-shift opener has cemented his place at the top of the order with some enthralling performances.

Team news

Australia: The have picked their 12 and the only tricky decision is whether to leave out a batsman or the allrounder James Hopes, who is only in the squad for the first game. Ricky Ponting is keen for Nathan Hauritz to continue to build on the momentum he picked up during the Test summer and with Mitchell Johnson resting, there are only three front-line fast men in Clint McKay, Peter Siddle and Doug Bollinger.

Squad (likely): Shane Watson, Shaun Marsh, Ricky Ponting (capt), Michael Hussey, Michael Clarke, Cameron White, Brad Haddin (wk), Nathan Hauritz, Clint McKay, Peter Siddle, Doug Bollinger, James Hopes.

Pakistan: Expect Kamran Akmal to return, more for his power hitting as an opener than his glovework, after he was dropped for the third Test in Hobart. The final bowling place appears to be between Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and Umar Gul. Younis and Afridi come back to offer some serious strike power.

Squad (likely): Salman Butt, Kamran Akmal (wk), Younis Khan, Mohammad Yousuf (capt), Umar Akmal, Shoaib Malik, Shahid Afridi, Umar Gul, Mohammad Asif, Mohammed Aamer, Saeed Ajmal.

Pitch and conditions
The Gabba has been excellent for batting during the domestic Twenty20 matches over the past month and whoever wins the toss will want to set a big target. The weather is expected to be fine throughout Friday, with a top of 32^oC.

Stats and trivia

• Australia and Pakistan have two wins each in five head-to-head contests at the Gabba, with one game rained out.
• Pakistan have won six and lost seven of their 14 matches at the ground while Australia have been successful 14 times in 31 appearances.
• The tourists own the lowest score at the Gabba in an ODI after managing 71 against West Indies in 1992-93.
• Dean Jones has the most runs in Brisbane with 513, while Ricky Ponting is the best of the current group with 324.
• Shoaib Akhtar's 5 for 25 in 2002 equalled the best figures at the ground for an ODI.

Match Facts
Friday, January 22, 2010 (day/night)
Start time 13:25 local time (03:25 GMT), 08:25 Pak