On Thursday, December 14, in Perth, Australia and Pakistan began the first Test in a three-match series. Having never won a Test series in Australia, the ‘Men in Green’ will be looking to improve their record there. Their last victory on Australian soil was in 1995. The Optus Stadium in Perth has a small sample size of Test matches, but teams batting first have benefited from it, according to Pakistan’s new red-ball skipper Shan Masood. Still, Pat Cummins won the toss and chose without hesitation to bat first.
“We also desired to have a bat initially. The sample size for this ground is rather modest. This location has only hosted three Test matches, all of which saw success for the batting-first team. We so desired to bat first. You need to focus on your bowling game and forget about the throw.
Before the game, Shan Masood remarked, “We’ve got some excellent preparation and some match practice.
In the meantime, Babar Azam, the former captain of Pakistan, is participating in his 50th Test match. Azam made his Test debut against the West Indies in 2016. Shan Masood commended Babar for his exceptional accomplishment. Shan Masood was seen giving the lucky right-hand batsman a unique memento and cap in a video that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) shared on social media.
The boys seem rather happy with it. It’s the ultimate game and we want to play more Test cricket. Similar to how men want to play 100 Test matches. This is Babar Azam’s 50th Test match. Thus, best wishes and congrats to him,” Masood said prior to kickoff.
Babar has amassed 3,772 runs at an average of 47.75 in 88 innings during his remarkable debut in the Test match. In the game’s purest version, he has also recorded nine centuries and twenty-six half-centuries.
Masood announced the debuts of right-arm pacers Aamer Jamal and Khurram Shahzad and mentioned that his team includes some players of the highest caliber.
We have a few elite players on the team. Two first-timers. Khurram Shahzad and Aamer Jamal. In the home setting, both have excelled. Masood stated, “Today, Shaheen is leading the pace attack, which presents a chance.