Australia will face Pakistan within the second Test match in Melbourne beginning December 26 however forward of the sport, a particular gesture from the Shan Masood-led aspect has gained hearts. Masood, together with former skipper Babar Azam and few members of the workforce administration, visited the Australian workforce throughout their indoor observe session on the Melbourne Cricket Ground with presents and candies for everybody. The cricketers interacted with one another and gave out lollipops for all the children current. The gesture gained many hearts on-line and Australia skipper Pat Cummins couldn’t cease praising the hassle.
“That was just great. Just Merry Christmas gifts and lollipops for the kids. So that was great. We’ve got a good relationship with the Pakistan side. That tour a couple of years ago was really special as well. So really kind and thoughtful of their group to think of us,” Cummins mentioned in appreciation.
Warm needs and heartfelt presents for the Australian gamers and their households on the MCG indoor netspic.twitter.com/u43mJEpBTR
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 25, 2023
Meanwhile, Australia named an unchanged XI on Monday for the Boxing Day Test on the Melbourne Cricket Ground as they appear to seal the collection towards Pakistan, who dropped veteran wicketkeeper-batter Sarfaraz Ahmed.
The hosts crushed Shan Masood’s aspect by 360 runs inside 4 days on the first Test in Perth, with tempo spearheads Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood all coming by means of unscathed.
It means Scott Boland, who took 6-7 on debut on the MCG towards England in 2021, misses out.
“We’re a huge fan of Scotty, I don’t think that’s a secret,” skipper Cummins instructed reporters on a moist Christmas Day.
“He’s ready to go if anything happens, so I’m sure he’ll play a part at some point.
“The message (to Boland) is at all times ‘we love what you deliver, sadly, you miss out on this one however do not change, hold working laborious and ensure you keep prepared’.”
Showers and potential thunderstorms are expected for the first day of play but are forecast to clear by Wednesday afternoon and Cummins said he was confident of a result.
“I believe there will probably be loads of time to complete the sport. I do not suppose (the climate) will change something,” he said.
“(The wicket) seems to be fairly good. Fair little bit of grass, in all probability somewhat bit tougher and never as inexperienced as final 12 months.”
Pakistan have been hit hard by injuries since Perth with fast bowler Khurram Shahzad and their two leading spinners, Abrar Ahmed and Noman Ali, all ruled out of the Melbourne match.
They named a 12-man squad with Sarfaraz Ahmed and speedster Faheem Ashraf axed.
Mohammad Nawaz will take the gloves, with Mir Hamza and Hasan Ali in contention for Shahzad’s place in the attack alongside veteran Shaheen Shah Afridi and impressive newcomer Aamer Jamal.
With Ahmed and Ali sidelined, Sajid Khan is their only spin option.
“We suppose Rizwan is prepared and we can provide Sarfaraz somewhat little bit of a break to recoup and are available again,” said Masood.
“It’s extra of a tactical determination when it comes to the circumstances and what we will get out of every participant.”
(With AFP inputs)
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Source web site: sports activities.ndtv.com
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