The second Test between Australia and Pakistan is scheduled for a December 26 start at Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Melbourne: In a warm gesture, Pakistan cricketers and support staff made a surprise visit to the Australian nets to present them and their families Christmas gifts ahead of the second Test match in Melbourne, the video of which went viral on social media. Australia are leading 1-0 in the series. The second Test begins on December 26 at MCG.
Pakistan players and staff have come with Christmas gifts for Aussies and their families in the MCG nets. pic.twitter.com/5r7n66sPks
— Daniel Cherny (@DanielCherny) December 24, 2023
In the video that went viral on social media, Pakistan captain Shan Masood was seen presenting his Australian counterpart Pat Cummins gifts. There were families of other cricketers too in the video.
Meanwhile, Pakistan go into Tuesday’s Boxing Day match against Australia on a 15-match Test losing streak, not having won Down Under since November 1995. The team’s ever-expanding injury list heading into the MCG Test won’t make ending the streak any easier.
Pakistan spinner Noman Ali became the second player in two days to withdraw from the touring squad for the remainder of the three-Test series due to illness and injury. Left-arm spinner Mohammad Nawaz will replace Ali in the squad.
The latest blow for the tourists comes after fast bowler Khurram Shahzad, who took match figures of 5-128 in his impressive test debut in Perth, was ruled out for the remainder of the series with a rib stress fracture and muscle tear on Thursday.
Leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed, who missed out the first Test, was also ruled out of the test because of a leg injury. Pakistan traveled to Australia with a weakened bowling lineup after fast bowler Naseem Shah was ruled out due to a long-term injury and Haris Rauf opted to play in Australia’s Big Bash League instead of joining the touring squad.
With PTI Inputs