RAWALPINDI: Pakistan’s newly-appointed Test captain Shan Masood scored a brisk century on the first day of the scenario-based practice match amid the team’s training camp for the upcoming Test tour of Australia.
Pakistan’s batting prodigy Saim Ayub depicted his sublime form and laid a solid foundation alongside Shan despite the early dismissal of Abdullah Shafique.
Saim and Shan batted with utmost domination but the former failed to convert his brilliant knock into a big one and walked back after scoring 35.
Shan Masood was then joined by Babar Azam and the pair found themselves among runs. The left-handed batter went on to score a century before opting to retire on 101.
Babar, on the other hand, scored a well-crafted 71 before also opting to retire to pave the way for the other batters to seize the opportunity to boost their preparations.
Day 1️⃣ of the two-day scenario match at Pindi Cricket Stadium 🎥
Pakistan Batters made 298-2 in 63 overs with Shan Masood (101 retired) and Babar Azam (71 retired) top-scoring. Saim Ayub made 35 while Saud Shakeel (44*) and Sarfaraz Ahmed (19*) were the unbeaten batters at… pic.twitter.com/rGx3w0LiZy
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) November 25, 2023
The middle-order batters responded well by adding valuable runs in the middle with Saud Shakeel scoring an unbeaten while the experienced wicketkeeper batter Sarfaraz Ahmed remained not out on 19.
Pakistan batters finished the day at 298/2 in just 63 overs at a decent run rate of 4.7.
The two wickets to fall on the day belonged to Khurram Shahzad and Aamer Jamal.
For the unversed, this was the third day of Pakistan’s training camp for the upcoming three-match away series against Australia.
The week-long camp will run until November 28 while the team will take off for Australia on November 30th.
Opening batter Imam-ul-Haq and all-rounder Faheem Ashraf will miss the entirety of the training camp due to their wedding festivities.
They are expected to join the squad in Lahore 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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