Pakistan tour of Australia (2023/2024)

[MenInG]

Huge challenge for Pakistan coming up soon.

 

[MenInG]

PM's XI fixture confirmed & tickets on sale

Cricket Australia (CA) is pleased to announce that tickets are now on sale for the Prime Minister’s XI match against Pakistan at Manuka Oval from 6-9 December 2023.

The match returns to a four-day red ball fixture after last year’s day/night pink ball match against the West Indies and will be played in the week leading up to the first Test of the Men's NRMA Insurance Test Series in Perth.

Prime Minister, the Hon Anthony Albanese MP will meet with CA Chair of Selectors, George Bailey and selector, Tony Dodemaide to discuss selection of the squad.

The first PM’s XI fixture was played in 1951 and will be the second under Anthony Albanese after a two-year hiatus prior to 2022 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It will be the third time Pakistan will face the Prime Minister’s XI after matches in 1990 and 2005 while Mr Albanese is the 10th Prime Minister to lead the team.

Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Albanese:

“Pakistan is such a proud cricketing nation.

“I’ve previously loved watching players like Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis steaming in with the new ball, so I’m excited the PM’s XI will face the talented Pakistan squad in Canberra.

“In the coming weeks, I will meet with the National Selectors to discuss what I suspect will be a strong PM’s XI.”


CA Chair of Selectors, George Bailey said:

“We are looking forward to meeting with the Prime Minister and I’m sure those selected will be excited for the challenge of facing the quality of Pakistan.

"As the Australian Men's Test team continues to evolve in the short to medium term, the timing of the match comes at an important stage of the summer with five home Tests and two away in New Zealand.

"We've seen some strong individual performances to start the Sheffield Shield season and with another round left before the squad will be selected, we are looking forward to seeing players continue to put their hands up for selection.

"Opportunities to face international opposition like this are rare and taken seriously, and as such we are looking to select a strong and highly talented squad."

 

[Kianig89]

Australians are excited now upto PCB to make it a contest

 

[alihasnain861]

do we have such quality bowling attack to take 20 wickets ?

 

[hoshiarpurexpress]

Usually I am in Melbourne at this time of the year and would have gone for Boxing day at the G. Have not missed it for last years. But this year is change of plans and will be cheering for Aussies from India.

Pakistan team stands no chance to even draw a test. Unless some new Wasim type bowler turns up and bowls Australia out for 50 something in a sensational spell, no chance.

 

[FearlessRoar]

My squad for the test series against Australia

1. Saim Ayub
2. Abdullah Shafique
3. Shan Masood
4. Babar Azam
5. Saud Shakeel
6. Mohammad Rizwan
7. Sarfraz Ahmed
8. Kamran Ghulam
9.Sahibzada Farhan
10.Faheem Ashraf
11. Shaheen Shah Afridi
12. Mir Hamza
13. Arshad Iqbal
14. Kashif Ali
15. Khurram Shehzad
16. Abrar Ahmed

 

[sweep_shot]

Very few teams can go to Australia and win a Test.

Should be a very tough tour for Pakistan. But, it is an opportunity for guys like Abdullah, Saud etc. to get SENA experience.

 

[7sins]

Proper phainty coming again. We have nothing bowling and batting lineup and wait for the drop catches

 

[batandballbattle]

Phainta loading.
Time zone makes it awkward but I'll try and watch the tail end of the days live after waking up

 

[Nikhil_cric]

This Test series will show why Test cricket is absolutely dead. This and SA tour of New Zealand.

Outside of Big 3 and even in India(going forward) , it's dying faster than ever. Cherish these last moments, brothers , even if it is 3-0 thrashing at the hands of Australia. The red ball format could not be more dead.

 

[shamaan]

My squad would be

Abdullah
Babar
Shan
Imaam
Rizwan
Saud
Fahim
Abrar
Mubasir
Shaheen
Naseem(if 100% fit) khurram Shehzad
Ihsanullah(if 100% fit)Dahani
Arshad Iqbal
Sameen Gull
Numan Ali
Kamran Ghullam

 

[SportsWarrior]

Pakistan Batting will do very well. Most of the pitches are pretty good for batting. If they can find couple of wicket takers they can compete.

 

[Misia]

to be blatantly honest, id rest our two premier fast bowlers, they have had a long world cup Shaheen Rauf and Naseem will need time to recover, so good time to experiment with the others bowlers

 

[Kianig89]

Would be interesting to watch, if Pakistan can take 20 wickets in any of the 3 games let alone win a game, because against Eng back home they struggled to take 20 wickets

 

[BouncerGuy]

The Pakistan cricket team has departed for a series against Australia. Here are the details:

The team left from the National Cricket Academy in Lahore to the airport and they departed for Sydney via Dubai. The national squad will reach Canberra from Sydney. The Pakistan team has a first-class match scheduled against the Prime Minister’s XI in Canberra from December 6 to 9.

Two members of the 17-member management, Dr. Sohail and Shahid Aslam, will join the squad later. Batting coach Adam Hollioake and high-performance coach Simon Grant Helmet will join the team in Australia.

The first match of the three-Test series between Pakistan and Australia will start in Perth on December 14.
​

 

[Sher Khan]

Did anyone notice that Khurram Shahzad is even shorter than Saim Ayub? So my estimate is Khurram is around 5 foot 5 or 5 foot 6.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Did anyone notice that Khurram Shahzad is even shorter than Saim Ayub? So my estimate is Khurram is around 5 foot 5 or 5 foot 6.

Is Khurram the one standing to Saim's left in the pic? Saim is 5'8" so yeah this guy is around 5'6" or 5'7". Basically , just another Hasan Ali.

 

[Vikram1989]

Don't know why 4 day practice match is scheduled instead of regular 3 days.Canberra pitch always has some things for the bowlers even in t20. If something goes wrong in practice match, then it will be hell for pak.

 

[hafizexpress]

I hope Imam doesn't play. He is the weakest link in this batting lineup. The Aussies do their homework and they can have Imam quivering in the first year. If he couldn't play Henry's good length balls angled away from the off-stump in India in a warm-up game, then boy does he have it coming in Perth. I fear that he will play though because Shan mentioned that Babar will play at "his position" at 4. 4 is not his position. Shan should open with Abdullah with Babar at 3.

 

[Xoib]

Did anyone notice that Khurram Shahzad is even shorter than Saim Ayub? So my estimate is Khurram is around 5 foot 5 or 5 foot 6.

Saim hair adds an inch or two their shoulders are almost equal but yeah 5 - 8 max

 

[BouncerGuy]

Saim might not be getting a chance on this tour if Imam is playing. playing him done there order also seems to be impossible.

 

[Suleiman]

Aamer Jamal was hard done by Dosti Yaari leader Babar Azam before the 2022 t20 WC and NZ series.

He single-handedly kept an on song England batting line up at bay and prevented them from chasing a modest score. That was t20 ofc, but glad he got called up to national duty still.

Now that Bab is no longer captain, he’s in and I hope he makes it count.

It’s been far too long since we had a proper pace bowling allrounder. M Wasim has potential but needs to lock in with the bat.

 

[Suleiman]

Please do not play Faheem Ashraf. Warner will eat his 110 kph pies in one niwala and score the first 400 since Lara.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Please do not play Faheem Ashraf. Warner will eat his 110 kph pies in one niwala and score the first 400 since Lara.

Faheem might not get a chance if Agha, Abrar, Shaheen, hamza, and Hassan are playing.

 

[Shafi]

Selectors come and go but Parchi like Hasan. Imam, Nauman stay in the team.

 

[BouncerGuy]

The Pakistan cricket team has arrived in Canberra from Sydney. After resting on December 2nd, the team will commence its training sessions on December 3rd. The Pakistan cricket team will play a four-day match in Canberra from December 6th to 9th.


​

 

[daytrader]

Mitchell Marsh eagerly anticipates West Test at Perth Stadium

Australian all-rounder Mitchell Marsh expressed his enthusiasm and eagerness during a media conference ahead of the highly anticipated West Test against Pakistan at the Perth Stadium.

Marsh, who has not played a Test match in Perth before, spoke highly of the stadium's wicket, proclaiming it as the best in the world. He conveyed his excitement at the prospect of featuring in the West Test, emphasizing the pitch's fast and bouncy nature that provides an equal challenge for both batsmen and bowlers.

"This is the best wicket in the world. I haven't played any Test match in Perth, but if I got selected, I would be super excited to feature in West Test. This pitch is fast and bouncy, this is what you want as a player which brings batter and bowler both an equal chance to contest," Marsh remarked.

The Australian cricketer also expressed his deep affection for being a part of the Australian team across all formats.

"I love being part of the Australian team, whatever the format it is. It's an absolute pleasure to play for this team from the last few years. I think I have found my most consistent method of batting from the last couple of years," Marsh shared.

He specifically praised Pat Cummins for his leadership, emphasizing that the team is proud of its accomplishments and is built for success.

"Last nine years were amazing for the Australia cricket team in all three formats. Pat Cummins is leading the team very well. This team is built for accomplishments, and we are really proud of our team," Marsh concluded.

 

[RidiculousMan]

Please do not play Faheem Ashraf. Warner will eat his 110 kph pies in one niwala and score the first 400 since Lara.

He will play because he's the only half decenr All Rounder in the team.

 

[SpiritOf1903]

Boxing Day test in Melbourne. Perhaps the last time Pakistan will contest it before the annual Ashes

 

[kron]

Can't wait for this. Hopefully we can perform would love a draw lol

 

[BouncerGuy]

Pakistani cricketers had to load their luggage into a truck themselves.

 

[Vikram1989]

Is it mental disintegration ? Why it's required for this team

 

[FearlessRoar]

Geoff Lawson, Pakistan coach from 2007 to 2008, understands the complex relationship between cricket and government better than most, As he said:

“In Australia people don’t understand that concept because Cricket Australia are an independent body – they make their own decisions."

“That’s not what it is in Pakistan. The government changes, the minister of sport changes, [and] then the chairman will change and the deckchairs fall over down the way."

“Sometimes you get better chairs, a better board, better selectors – sometimes you don’t.”

“They’ve come here with good teams and failed.I have a glimmer of hope their fast bowlers will do well, and their batting will be up to it."

“I want to see some good Test cricket, some combative and close, quality cricket. Pakistan are capable of playing that. Whether they deliver it – their track record suggests not.”

 

[FearlessRoar]

Here i have to agree with Lawson, Pakistan's cricket setup faces instability with frequent changes, impacting performance. Don't know how we will perform in this tour of Australia (2023-24).

 

[Bilal7]

I expect a huge trashing in the first test followed by better performances at the two CGs.

I will be happy if we manage to win one test and Babar, Saud, Shaheen, Abrar and Abdullah have great performances. There are too many passengers in this test side to hope for anything more.

Hopefully, this will be the end for Masood, Sarfaraz, Faheem, Hasan and Noman. I wish them all the best at the domestic level but they have been too mediocre and are too old to improve. If they play well, fair enough, they should definitely stick around.

The ideal Pakistan test side for the 2025 Test Championship final (Yes, we will get there, InshaAllah):

1) Abdullah
2) Imam/Saim
3) Hurrairah
4) Babar
5) Saud
6) Rizwan (c) (wk)
7) Pace all-rounder
8) Shaheen
9) Naseem
10) Abrar
11) Abbas/Fast bowler

 

[Bilal7]

There's no squad Wahab could've picked to give us a cat in hell's chance of winning in Australia.

Contrary to popular belief, our bowlers not our batsmen are the biggest reason for our awful Australia record. Forget 20 wickets - Pakistan haven't taken 10 wickets in 5 out of the last 7 innings in Australia. On those 2 occasions we did, we conceded 429 and 580 !

This attack's scarcely any better and is a reflection of the lack of bowling depth in Pakistan. In Australia you need guys with decent pace who hit the deck hard and rely more on seam than swing through the air, with height being a bonus but not compulsory.

Sadly there aren't many in Pakistan fitting that bill. Hasan Ali and Mir Hamza will be cannon fodder. Three pace bowling ARs is overkill and none are worldbeaters.

A semi-competitive Test or two is the height of my expectations.

There are several passengers in this squad but also some truly world class players/future greats in Abdullah, Babar, Saud, Shaheen and Abrar.

I'll be disappointed if we don't win a single test.

 

[Bilal7]

Player ratings for the expected XI:

1) Abdullah - A
2) Imam - B
3) Masood - D
4) Babar - A+
5) Saud - A
6) Sarfaraz - B
7) Faheem - C
8) Shaheen - A+
9) Hasan - C
10) Abrar - B+
11) Mir - C

Too many C's and D's and not enough A's, unfortunately. Rizwan and Naseem coming back and a world-class pace all-rounder being unearthed would make this the best team in the world though.

 

[Devadwal]

Pakistani cricketers had to load their luggage into a truck themselves.

View attachment 139584View attachment 139585
View attachment 139587

No officials from the Pakistani embassy or Cricket Australia were present to welcome them.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Starc fears could lead to ‘Wild Thing’ being unleashed on Pakistan

Australia’s Test selectors are considering unleashing Western Australia fast bowler Lance Morris against Pakistan, with Mitchell Starc carrying a niggle into the first Test.

David Warner’s farewell Test series will be confirmed when a 14-player squad is announced on Sunday. Mitchell Marsh will retain the all-rounder’s position ahead of Cameron Green.

The only change to the XI from Australia’s last Test – at the Oval in July – will be the return of a fit again Nathan Lyon for his understudy, Todd Murphy. Morris, whose express pace has earned him the nickname “Wild Thing”, will either be named in the extended squad or given a special train-on role before the first Test against Pakistan, beginning in Perth on December 14.

Starc has what insiders describe as a “niggle”, which is not expected to prevent him starting the Test summer. With at least a seven-day break before the Boxing Day Test, there is also confidence the veteran left-armer will be fit for the second Test in Melbourne. However, with as few as three days between the end of the Boxing Day Test and the start of the Sydney Test, selectors are concerned whether the 33-year-old quick can play three Tests in three-and-a-half weeks.

Morris, 25, has been on a special recovery program since scans at the end of last season revealed stress fractures in his back, but the Australian selectors want him ready to go if a place becomes available against Pakistan or the West Indies this summer. With Morris and Green, 24, the selectors have their eyes on next season’s five-Test series against heavyweights India.

Timed at 150km/h, Morris is considered a “like for like” replacement for Starc, the fastest bowler in the Test team, as an enforcer.

Morris would have been selected for the Ashes tour if fully fit and has been nursed through the pre-Christmas Sheffield Shield games for Western Australia, playing three matches and claiming 11 wickets at an average of 26.

He was restricted to 10 overs in club cricket last weekend, with sources close to Western Australian cricket, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, claiming Morris was concerned about a lack of recent bowling. However, he will receive the focus of Australia’s coaching and support staff during an extended lead-in to the first Test.

Scott Boland remains Australia’s nominal next choice fast bowler, but that is more likely if Josh Hazlewood or captain Pat Cummins are unable to play at any stage.

Cameron Bancroft’s flood of Sheffield Shield runs during the past season and a half won’t push Warner, 37, out of the team, despite the veteran left-hander averaging just 30 in Test cricket during the past two years, with just one century. He was Australia’s leading run-scorer in the team’s recent World Cup triumph.

The previous modest performances of Bancroft, 31, at Test level, where he averages 26 in 10 Tests, without a century, and his low Test and Sheffield Shield strike rate have raised concerns about the likelihood of slow starts to Australia’s innings, given Usman Khawaja, almost 37, plays the anchor role. Bancroft’s opportunity may not come until Khawaja retires, although he has shown no signs of quitting Test cricket.

Marsh, 32, retains his place after topping the Ashes batting averages with 50, scoring a century and a half-century in the past three Tests following a four-year absence from the five-day game. While his batting continues to improve, Marsh’s bowling has less impact as he ages, claiming three wickets at 56 from 34 overs in those three Tests.

Green averaged 21 in three Tests during the Ashes but, with most of the Test team aged over 30, he is considered an important part of Australia’s future. A timely 96 in Western Australia’s most recent Shield game was a reminder of his quality as the selectors look for a way to get him back in the side.

Green has played 20 of Australia’s 25 Tests during the past two years, averaging 34 with the bat and claiming 30 wickets at 32 with high-quality pace and seam bowling.

While Josh Inglis, 28, has cemented his place as wicketkeeper for Australia’s white-ball games, Alex Carey, 32, remains the Test gloveman and warmed up for the red-ball summer with a top score of 81 for South Australia in their second innings during a Shield match won by Victoria on Friday.

Likely Australian squad for the first Test against Pakistan in Perth, December 14-18:

David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland, Cameron Green, Lance Morris.
​

Starc fears could lead to ‘Wild Thing’ being unleashed on Pakistan

David Warner and Mitchell Marsh will hold their Test places when the squad is announced on Sunday, with express bowler Lance Morris preparing as cover for Mitchell Starc.

www.smh.com.au

 

[BouncerGuy]

Pakistani batters already struggle against pace in Australian conditions and this guy Lance Morris has got pace. He could be the surprise package for Team Green.

 

[castortroy]

Complete bloodbath.

I doubt any of the matches will go into the 5th day.

Pak are probably the worst performing touring team to Australia ever

 

[CrIc_Mystique]

If you had harris Rauf, he would have been suited to pacy aus pitches. It wont conventional swing, seaming will also be limited. Reverse will come in the picture in a big way + the bounce. But alas, it looks he wont be playing in tests.
Any way, this also might be a come of age tour for the other guys like Shaheen Afridi etc who defo would be better and more experience since their last tour to OZ

 

[Xoib]

I think they will play Cummins, Hazelwood and boland with Lyon

 

[angrypathan]

I think they will play Cummins, Hazelwood and boland with Lyon

Starc will play in Perth over Boland for sure

 

[Xoib]

Starc will play in Perth over Boland for sure

Yeah but if he is not fit as the article says then it will be Boland not the other new bloke

 

[BouncerGuy]

I think they will play Cummins, Hazelwood and boland with Lyon

Lance Morris is in the news as well. He might be playing instead of one of them.

 

[RidiculousMan]

Lance Morris is in the news as well. He might be playing instead of one of them.

They would play him against Pakistan if they have opportunity. He plays for Perth Scorchers as well.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Here is the update on the Pakistan cricket team:

The Pakistan team will practice in Canberra tomorrow from 2 pm to 5 pm. The team will play a four-day match against PM IX in Canberra from December 6th.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Pakistan squad at a function to meet the High Commissioner of Pakistan in Canberra.

 

[ChTab]

All the matches will end on either 1st or 2nd session of 3rd day. Pakistan can't compete with Aus, CA should either ban us or just simply don't invite until Pakistan improves drastically overseas.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Winning or losing is part of the game. It doesn't mean you should stop playing.

 

[Xoib]

Why is this guy Khurram Shehzad so miserable in all his pics it’s your first trip in Pakistan colors atleast show some smile.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

If you had harris Rauf, he would have been suited to pacy aus pitches. It wont conventional swing, seaming will also be limited. Reverse will come in the picture in a big way + the bounce. But alas, it looks he wont be playing in tests.
Any way, this also might be a come of age tour for the other guys like Shaheen Afridi etc who defo would be better and more experience since their last tour to OZ

Haris Rauf does not have the accuracy for Tests in Australia and also has not shown any ability to bowl more than 4 overs. The World Cup made that amply clear.

Other than serving up hit me ball after hit me ball to Australian batsmen , he would serve no purpose at all.

 

[deltexas]

Reality is no matter who plays , it's gonna be a 2-0 massive defeat. But Pak record in Aus in tests is truly bad.. And it will not improve this time as well with this Pak team

 

[globetrotter]

Indian team had many successful Australian tours since 2008…. They have won many Tests/ODI/T-20 series in Australia… Pakistan team shall take inspiration from them… Indian pacer Ishant Sharma created hovac in one Australia series… if Pakistan bowlers need to hit right line n length… on fast and bouncy Australian pitches, Shaheen could be Fetal

 

[globetrotter]

If you had harris Rauf, he would have been suited to pacy aus pitches. It wont conventional swing, seaming will also be limited. Reverse will come in the picture in a big way + the bounce. But alas, it looks he wont be playing in tests.
Any way, this also might be a come of age tour for the other guys like Shaheen Afridi etc who defo would be better and more experience since their last tour to OZ

After bad Asia cup and WC.. Haris Rauf confidence currently low, but such failures comes in player’s life, this is why team Management and Cricket board’s role is very important…. Pakistan pacers have a great chance fast Australian pitches and Haris Rauf missed it

 

[Buffet]

After bad Asia cup and WC.. Haris Rauf confidence currently low, but such failures comes in player’s life, this is why team Management and Cricket board’s role is very important…. Pakistan pacers have a great chance fast Australian pitches and Haris Rauf missed it

Is it just about confidence or him not having ability to bowl more than 20 odd balls in a match?

 

[kron]

Is it just about confidence or him not having ability to bowl more than 20 odd balls in a match?

Just not enough stamina for long format. Comes from a t20 background. Tape ball. Will be hard now.

 

[hitthestump]

There are several passengers in this squad but also some truly world class players/future greats in Abdullah, Babar, Saud, Shaheen and Abrar.

I'll be disappointed if we don't win a single test.

Win a test

I don't think there are really any passengers in this side at all. Everyone has a role to play and nobody is there to make up the numbers as such. They're all just mediocre from top to bottom.

The only player in the side who might break into a 'world class' bracket is Babar but his test career is underwhelming.

Other than that it's just a bunch of guys who are 'ok' at test level but nowhere near capable of going toe to toe with Australia.

The only outcome here is 3-0. The question is how much humiliation we can stave off in the process.

 

[kron]

Win a test

I don't think there are really any passengers in this side at all. Everyone has a role to play and nobody is there to make up the numbers as such. They're all just mediocre from top to bottom.

The only player in the side who might break into a 'world class' bracket is Babar but his test career is underwhelming.

Other than that it's just a bunch of guys who are 'ok' at test level but nowhere near capable of going toe to toe with Australia.

The only outcome here is 3-0. The question is how much humiliation we can stave off in the process.

In this format no one has world class potential for us. Maybe naseem or shaheen but this format doesn't suit both unless it's in helpful swing friendly conditions.

 

[MANU ROY]

Pakistan should've included Yasir Shah in this series he got test century In Australia

 

[BouncerGuy]

Pakistan should've included Yasir Shah in this series he got test century In Australia

This time the problem is bowling which has always been a problem on Australian soil. Batting is all good tbh but yasir is not fit anymore for a selection. Not on merit.

 

[Hitman]

Pakistan should consider the series a success if they manage to draw a Test, which they haven't been able to do so since 1995.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Pakistan should've included Yasir Shah in this series he got test century In Australia

In 5 matches he played in Australia, he picked up 12 wickets only with an average of 89.50 and a strike rate of 114.4, and as far as his batting is concerned, he averages 27.88 with 1 century which was a fluke TBH. But not taking away anything from him as scoring a century is a big task in Australia.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Due to heavy rain and hailstorms at Manuka Oval, Pakistan Team is forced to do practice indoors.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Pakistan Team's practice session is in full swing as they prepare for the 4-day tpur game against PM IX ahead of the series.

 

[BouncerGuy]

Shaheen Shah Afridi speaking in an interview ahead of the 4-day tour game against PM IX:

View attachment shaheen 1.mp4

“I am here for the first time. As a team, we are really hopeful to play our best cricket, and we are ready for this challenge.”

“We know they are strong, but I think we have prepared very well, and we are here to win this series, and we are fully prepared for that.”

“I never played Big Bash cricket here. I just played in Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth, but we are here for the first time for the first 4-day game, and I think that is good preparation for us for that first game moving forward for the test matches.”

“I think this game will help us in the series. These 4 days will prepare us for the next games, and for us, it is a good practice for the test matches coming ahead.”

“David Warner had a great career. He played very good cricket for Australia, not only in T20 but across all three formats, and he is a wonderful guy. I think this is his last series, and I hope that it is not very good against us.”

View attachment shaheen 2.mp4

“This series is very important for us because we are leading in the WTC. Our effort is to carry this on. We have a practice match; we are preparing for it and getting ourselves ready for the first test match, which is in Perth. All our players are ready, and we also have a new combination of seniors and juniors in batting. So we are hopeful.”​

 

[FearlessRoar]

Pakistani cricketers had to load their luggage into a truck themselves.

View attachment 139584View attachment 139585
View attachment 139587

Ahead of the series, A certain picture of the Pakistan players went viral on social media and instantly became the talk of the town where the cricketers were seen loading their own luggage onto container truck at the Sydney airport.Speaking to the media on Sunday,Shaheen Afridi revealed that:

"We only had 30 minutes to catch our next flight and we helped because there were just two people. We wanted to wrap it up fast and to save time."

"We call this team a family and helped them as a family."

 

[FearlessRoar]

Impressed by the camaraderie of the Pakistan cricket team...

Ahead of the series, A certain picture of the Pakistan players went viral on social media and instantly became the talk of the town where the cricketers were seen loading their own luggage onto container truck at the Sydney airport.Speaking to the media on Sunday,Shaheen Afridi revealed that:

"We only had 30 minutes to catch our next flight and we helped because there were just two people. We wanted to wrap it up fast and to save time."

"We call this team a family and helped them as a family."

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Media talk of wicket keeper batsman Sarfaraz ahmed in Canberra.

The weather is good in Canberra. Four day match really holds great importance for us.

We shall try our best to get maximum advantage from this practice match.

Australia is a top side. Will try our best to play good against them in this test series.

Our team goal is to play a good series here and win it too.

I and Rizwan will try to carry out any role that the management offers us.

Australian team is always tough to play against. This tour is going to be a challenging one. Need to play smart cricket.

I have best wishes for David Warner. Will try our best not to give him a good start and also would try to dismiss him early.

Our batting and fast bowling lineup is quite good.

 

[MenInG]

Chris Gayle's heroics inspire Sarfaraz as Pakistan prepares for the PM XI

Sarfaraz Ahmed, the seasoned Pakistani cricketer is ready to face the challenges that lay ahead in the upcoming four-day game against PM XI. Recalling the inspiring innings of Chris Gayle at Manuka Oval, Sarfaraz said:

"I remember watching Chris Gayle's incredible innings of 200 runs against Zimbabwe at Manuka Oval. Now, as we brace ourselves for a four-day clash in Canberra against Australia, the weather seems to be good. This match holds an immense significance as it kickstarts the three-match test series against the formidable Australian team."

Expressing his confidence, Sarfaraz highlighted the strength of the Pakistani lineup. "Australia boasts good batters, but we are no less. With Abdullah, Babar, Imam, Saud, and Agha in our ranks, we are well-equipped for the challenge," he declared.

Sarfaraz praised the quality bowlers in his lineup. "Shaheen and Hasan are exceptional, and we have the likes of Mir Hamza, Khurram Shehzad, and Fahim, who have proven their mettle in domestic competitions."

Taking a moment to extend his congratulations, Sarfaraz acknowledged Shan Masood's leadership. "It's always an honor to lead your country, and I want to congratulate Shan Masood for his role. The camaraderie between Babar Azam, Muhammad Hafeez, and Shan Masood is a testament to the strong bond within our camp."

In a humble note, Sarfaraz concluded, "I am happy to play any role – whether as a batter or a wicket-keeper – in contributing to the success of the team."

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Glimpses of Pakistan Cricket Team’s net training session in Canberra:

 

[Xoib]

Thanks to Mitchel Johnson now Warner will be even more fired up to do well as if he needed any extra motivation to flog us like he usually does.

 

[pakistani pride]

Pakistan should consider the series a success if they manage to draw a Test, which they haven't been able to do so since 1995.

Not happening. Bowling will not be able to stop Aus from scoring big and fast. No idea what SSA is doing there, he is walking on his last legs and will get smashes bowling at 130Ks. Should have taken time off after the WC. Batting will be disaster as always down under. We might get the chance to cheer for a match losing 100 from Babar followed by some cake cutting pics.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Looks like Shadab got a little injured.

 

[globetrotter]

So fans here have 0 confidence in Pakistan Team, Pak players knows their countrymen have 0 expectations from them and they will play absolute `0' pressure cricket. This Pakistan team will surprise you with their performance... mark my words.

It also happened with Indian team couple of times, in 2007 after suffering heavy defeat on WI tour in 2007, Indian team under Dhoni reach South Africa for 1st T20 WC... nobody expected them to reach supersix stage, but Indian team played fearlessly, without any pressure and improved match by match. Finally they won 2007 WC

 

[Xoib]

So fans here have 0 confidence in Pakistan Team, Pak players knows their countrymen have 0 expectations from them and they will play absolute `0' pressure cricket. This Pakistan team will surprise you with their performance... mark my words.

It also happened with Indian team couple of times, in 2007 after suffering heavy defeat on WI tour in 2007, Indian team under Dhoni reach South Africa for 1st T20 WC... nobody expected them to reach supersix stage, but Indian team played fearlessly, without any pressure and improved match by match. Finally they won 2007 WC

This is Pakistan in Australia we are worse then minnows in that country even when we had a strong side no amount of qudrat ka nizam can end our Australia struggles

 

[FearlessRoar]

Michael Neser has been withdrawn from the PM's XI clash with Pakistan as selectors ensure he is "ready to perform" should a Test recall arise this summer.

Jordan Buckingham will replace the 33-year-old paceman in the side for the four-day game at Manuka Oval beginning on Wednesday.

"We're taking a cautious approach with Michael," said chief selector George Bailey.

"The elevated risk of potentially another large bowling load in the four-day PM XI's fixture was deemed too high.

"We want to ensure that should the opportunity arise to play more Test cricket this summer that we are giving him the best chance to be ready to perform."

Queenslander Neser's most recent of his two Test appearances came against the West Indies in Adelaide last summer, taking five wickets for the match, and he was also called up to join the Australian squad for the World Test Championship final and early stages the Ashes tour on the back of his form for county side Glamorgan.

But West Australian Lance Morris, having recovered from a back injury, has usurped him in the squad for the first Test of the home summer against Pakistan from December 14 in Perth, joining Scott Boland as a back-up pace option.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Pakistan is better off because Michael Neser, a skilled bowler, won't be playing in the warm-up match, making it a bit easier for them.

 

[Cricket Warrior]

Its time for pakistan to start the numbers in their favour.