The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) hosted a Christmas dinner at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, attended by the Chairman Management Committee Mr Zaka Ashraf along with top PCB officials and Christian employees.
Addressing the guests on this occasion, Chairman PCB Management Committee Mr Zaka Ashraf said, “I extend my heartfelt greetings to all those celebrating Christmas in Pakistan and around the world. We are delighted that you are part of the Pakistan Cricket Board.
“You have served Pakistan cricket with utmost dedication and the PCB appreciates your efforts. I hope that you and your families celebrate with joy and I wish you well.”
On the other hand, the Pakistan Men’s cricket team took the internet by storm with their kind gesture as they presented Christmas gifts to the Australian players on the sidelines of the training session.
The home side was participating in an indoor practice session for the Boxing Day Test when the Pakistan players including captain Shan Masood and coaching staff surprised the rival team with Christmas gifts.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) shared the wholesome interaction of the two rival teams.
Warm wishes and heartfelt gifts for the Australian players and their families at the MCG indoor nets 🎁✨ pic.twitter.com/u43mJEpBTR
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 25, 2023
In the video, the Pakistan team can be seen presenting the Australian players and their families with gifts and sweets.
Australia captain Pat Cummins, who appeared emotionally touched in the shared video also expressed his emotions and termed it a great gesture by the touring side.
“That was just great. Just Merry Christmas gifts and lollipops for the kids. So that was great,” stated Cummins.
“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,” he added.
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Earlier today, the PCB unveiled a 12-member squad for the upcoming Boxing Day Test against Australia with wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Rizwan replacing his counterpart Sarfaraz Ahmed.
Wicketkeeper batter Sarfaraz Ahmed had a forgetful outing in the Perth Test where he only managed to score seven runs and fell victim to left-arm pacer Mitchell Starc in each of the innings.
The 36-year-old also missed a number of chances behind the stumps which drew massive criticism from the fans.
Besides this, fast-bowling all-rounder Faheem Ashraf also failed to retain his spot in Pakistan’s Playing XI, whereas, pacers Mir Hamza and Hasan Ali were named in the 12-member squad.
Pakistan squad for second Test
Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Afridi (vc), Hasan Ali, Mir Hamza, Aamir Jamal, Sajid Khan.
READ: Shan Masood explains Sarfaraz Ahmed’s exclusion from Boxing Day Test