The Pakistan cricket team have kicked their training camp at the Pindi Cricket Stadium for the upcoming three-match Test series against Australia, starting from December 14, 2023.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has included three more pacers, namely Sameen Gul, Ali Shafique, and Muhammad Ali, to the camp.
Chief Selector Wahab Riaz had already announced the inclusion of seven additional players to join the training camp, when he revealed the 18-member Test squad for Australia series. Those players include Arshad Iqbal, Kashif Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usama Mir, and Usman Qadir. However, fast bowler Shahnawaz Dahani is de-clared unfit bowl and PCB has made the decision to send Dahani to the National Cricket Academy for rehabilitation, aiming for his swift recovery.
The board has also granted permission to former skipper Babar Azam, Sarfaraz Ahmad, and Usman Qadir to attend Imam-ul-Haq’s wedding after today’s practice. However, these three cricketers will take part in the training session tomorrow.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Cricket Australia’s National Selection Panel (NSP) have announced the men’s squad for the Prime Minister’s XI clash against Pakistan in Canberra.
Nathan McSweeney, a South Australian batter, will lead a formidable team that includes six players with Test-level experience.
The squad boasts impressive performers such as Cameron Bancroft, Beau Webster, and McSweeney, who are currently the leading run-scorers in the Marsh Sheffield Shield.
Mark Steketee and Michael Neser, both Queensland quicks, showcased their prowess last season by amassing a combined total of 78 wickets.
Additionally, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Todd Murphy, Jimmy Peirson, and Matthew Renshaw, who all featured in Australia’s Test squad during the recent Ashes campaign in England, bring a wealth of experience to the lineup.
Thilan Samaraweera, with prior experience working with Australia A and Australia’s male underage pathway squads, has been appointed as the Head Coach of the team. During the match, the playing squad will receive support from local ACT Premier cricketers Eric Bell and Lachlan Simpson.
The four-day fixture against the Pakistan begins on Wednesday, 6 December at Manuka Oval.
PM’s XI: Nathan McSweeney (capt), Cameron Bancroft, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Nathan McAndrew, Todd Murphy, Michael Neser, Jimmy Peirson, Matthew Renshaw, Mark Steketee, Beau Webster
Pakistan squad for Australia Tests: Shan Masood (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Australia tour schedule:
Four-day match: PM’s XI vs Pakistan – December 6-9: Manuka Oval, Canberra
1st Test – Australia vs Pakistan – December 14-18: Perth Stadium
2nd Test – Australia vs Pakistan – December 26-30: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) 3rd Test – Australia vs Pakistan – January 3-7: Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).
