RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s 18-member squad kicked off training for the upcoming three-match Test series against Australia, scheduled to commence on December 14.
According to the details, 18 players including seven additional players Arshad Iqbal, Kashif Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usama Mir, and Usman Qadir, partook in the team’s first training session.
Earlier Thursday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) invited three more pacers Sameen Gul, Ali Shafique, and Muhammad Ali to the training camp.
The players participated in several fielding drills and carried out robust batting and bowling sessions.
Game mode 🔛
Day 1️⃣ of the training camp at Pindi Cricket Stadium 🏟️#AUSvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/QEXndWvNBW
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) November 23, 2023
Pakistan’s training camp for the Australia tour will run until November 28.
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Opening batter Imam-ul-Haq and all-rounder Faheem Ashraf will miss the entirety of the training camp due to their upcoming wedding festivities.
They are expected to join the squad in Lahore on 30th November, just before the team’s departure to Australia.
Pakistan’s quest for their first Test series victory over Australia in their backyard will commence on Dember 14.
It will be a tough challenge for left-handed opener Shan Masood, who became the Test captain after Babar Azam relinquished the role from all formats after his side’s dismal show in the recently concluded ICC World Cup 2023.
The Green Shirts will get an opportunity to get used to the testing Australian conditions as they will take on the Prime Minister’s XI in the four-day red-ball fixture at Manuka Oval from 6-9 December 2023.
Pakistan squad
Shan Masood (c), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafiq, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Nauman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Afridi, Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed
Schedule of Pakistan’s Test tour of Australia
First Test: December 14-18, Perth Stadium
Second Test: December 26-30, Melbourne Cricket Ground
Third Test: January 3-7, Sydney Cricket Ground
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