As the Pakistan cricket team hones its skills in preparation for the upcoming three-match Test series against Australia, the intensity and camaraderie within the squad are visibly surging. In Rawalpindi, the Pakistani cricketers are enduring rigorous training sessions at their camp, which commenced Thursday and is set to wind up on November 28, just before their departure to Australia.
The Pindi Cricket Stadium played host to a two-day scenario match that unfolded over the weekend. Such practice games are part of the squad’s strategy to acclimatize to match conditions. However, it wasn’t all serious business at the camp – a lighthearted moment captured on camera showed pacer Hasan Ali engaging in a freestyle wrestling bout with the team masseur, Malang Ali. In a video that made the rounds, courtesy of Sports Paktv’s YouTube channel, Hasan executed a double-leg takedown on Malang Ali, who made an attempt at a single-leg takedown in response. Nonetheless, Hasan’s solid defense helped him swiftly shrug off the countermove.
This impromptu wrestling session attracted an audience comprising none other than former captain Babar Azam and current T20I captain Shaheen Afridi, both of whom witnessed Hasan’s playful antics firsthand.
The camp has also seen new additions to its roster, with the arrival of Mohammad Wasim Jr. He joined the camp alongside three other pacers who had participated from day one. These developments follow announcements by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), which recently expanded the contingent with the inclusion of three fast bowlers – Sameen Gul, Ali Shafique, and Muhammad Ali.
The Pakistan squad is gearing up for a challenging tour down under, where they face the Australian side in contests across iconic venues. The schedule is as follows: a four-day match against the Prime Minister’s XI at Manuka Oval, Canberra from December 6 to 9; the first Test match set to blaze at Optus Stadium, Perth from December 14 to 18; the second Test match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) from December 26 to 30; and finally, the third Test match awaiting them at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) from January 3 to 7.
Shan Masood leads the Pakistan contingent as captain for the Australia Tests. The diverse squad is comprised of players such as Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan as the wicketkeeper, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed as another wicketkeeping option, Saud Shakeel, and the pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi.
As the cricket team continues its rigorous preparations fueled by a spirited camaraderie, fans eagerly anticipate the outcomes of these high-stakes matches. With the Pakistan squad bolstering its ranks and polishing its arsenal, cricket enthusiasts across the globe await the clashes with bated breath. Stay tuned for more updates on the Pakistan cricket team and their progress heading into the World Cup 2023. For real-time sports news and schedules, cricket aficionados are encouraged to follow the dynamic world of cricket on social platforms and through the NDTV Cricket app, available on both Android and iOS devices.