Shan Masood unveils Pakistan’s batting order for first Test against Australia

CANBERRA: Pakistan’s Test captain Shan Masood has revealed the batting order for the upcoming three-match Test series against Australia, which will see him playing at number three.

Shan Masood talked to the media after the trophy unveiling ceremony for the four-day match between Pakistan and Australian Prime Minister XI, which is set to start tomorrow.

The newly appointed Pakistan’s Test skipper stated that Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique will continue to open the innings while Babar Azam will bat at number four.

“We will continue with the same batting order from the last Test series. Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique are settled as opening batters for over a year,” said Shan Masood.

“Babar Azam is our main batter and he has been playing at number four in Test cricket, so we will plan our batting around him.”

Shan Masood further opened up about his position and the role of two wicketkeepers in the squad.

“I played at number three since my comeback to the Test side, so I will continue in that role, while Sarafraz Ahmed will be our first-choice wicketkeeper,” stated Masood.

“However, we can play both Sarfaraz and Mohammad Rizwan, depending on conditions where one can play as a batter.”

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He also showed confidence in Pakistan’s bowling attack and hoped that it would pose a threat to Australian batters.

“We have got a balanced pace attack led by Shaheen Afridi, with each bowler posing a different threat.”

“Mir Hamza and Khurram Shahzad are proven performers in our domestic circuit, having the ability to make a mark in Australia.”

“Mohammad Wasim Jr. can provide us extreme pace with reverse swing, supported by all-rounder Aamer Jamal who also bowls with good pace. While Faheem Ashraf is a seasoned all-rounder who has done well in Test cricket.”

Pakistan’s captain also praised Australian batter David Warner for his impressive Test career, which may come to an end after the upcoming Test series.

“David Warner has been a great servant to not only Australia but world cricket. We wish him the best of luck but we will make sure to make his last series challenging.”

“Australia have an overall balanced side and one of the best bowling attack in the world. We have to play our brand of cricket in all three departments to challenge them and I believe we have a team which can do that,” Shan Masood concluded.

Pakistan and Australia will square off in the first Test match in Perth from 14-18 December 2023.

The second Test match will be played in Melbourne, from 26 to 30 December, while Sydney will host the last game of the tour from 3 to 7 January 2024.

READ: Sarfaraz Ahmed upbeat for tough challenge in Australia Tests

Shan Masood receives promotion in PCB’s central contract list

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to upgrade the category of newly appointed Test captain Shan Masood in the central contract list from D to B.

The decision has been made in line with the board’s policy that if a centrally contracted player below A or B categories is appointed captain, their contract shall be upgraded to category B for the tenure of their captaincy.

34-year-old Shan Masood was named Test captain on 15 November 2023, until the conclusion of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle.

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The left-handed batter has featured in 30 Tests, amassing 1,597 runs and will lead Pakistan in his first assignment as captain in the upcoming three-match series against Australia, commencing from 14 December.

Pakistan team will kick off the Test series with the first Test in Perth from 14-18 December 2023.

The second Test match will be played in Melbourne, from 26 to 30 December, while Sydney will host the last game of the tour from 3 to 7 January 2024.

Pakistan squad for the tour of Australia

Shan Masood (c), 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

READ: PSL 9 Player Draft to take place on December 13

Shan Masood reveals Pakistan’s first choice wicketkeeper in Australia

LAHORE: Newly appointed Test captain of Pakistan cricket team Shan Masood has shown faith in former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed as the first-choice wicketkeeper during the Australian tour.

Shan Masood, who replaced Babar Azam as Test captain, acknowledged Sarfaraz Ahmed’s performance in recent Test matches for Pakistan while talking to the media ahead of the team’s departure for Australia.

“Sarfaraz was player of the series in the last home series against New Zealand. He also performed well in Sri Lanka and secured his spot in the team. He is the settled wicketkeeper in this team,” Shan said.

However, he also shed light on the importance of wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan as a better and did not rule out the possibility of playing him solely as a batter.

“We might require Rizwan as a batsman. His track record is fantastic in Australia. He was one of the top scorers when we last toured Australia for Test matches,” Shan Masood added.

“We might encounter a situation where we might have to drop a spinner and play an extra batter, so Rizwan can come into the fore then,” he concluded.

Pakistan is scheduled to play a three-match Test series against Australia commencing from 14 December 2023 to 7 January 2024.

The team will depart from Lahore on 30 November and will kick off the Test series with the first Test in Perth from 14-18 December 2023.

Pakistan squad for the tour of Australia

Shan Masood (c), 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

READ: Rahul Dravid to continue as head coach of India

Shan Masood aims to make history in Australia

LAHORE: Newly appointed captain of Pakistan cricket team Shan Masood set his side a tough target on Wednesday for their forthcoming tour of Australia — make history.

Pakistan have never won a Test series in the 12 times they have toured down under, with the South Asian side losing the last 14 five-dayers in a row there.

But Masood, 34, who took over the Test side after Babar Azam relinquished the captaincy in all formats of cricket following Pakistan’s disastrous World Cup campaign, sees an opportunity.

“When you have not achieved something in history, then you have an opportunity to change it,” he told a news conference in Lahore ahead of the team’s departure.

“So we will make an effort to produce positive results for Pakistan and for the World Test championship.”

Pakistan are on the top of the World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle with wins in both Tests against Sri Lanka, while India are second and Australia are third on the nine-team table.

But Australia are flying high after winning the last cycle of the championship and lifting the 50-over World Cup earlier this month.

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The Test series starts with the first match in Perth from December 14, followed by Melbourne (December 26-30), and Sydney (January 3-7).

Pakistan lost both Tests by an innings margin during their last tour — a series Masood was part of.

“We need to score 400 and then take 20 wickets,” said Shan Masood of what was required.

“We did not do that on our last tour in 2019, so that is the goal.”

Shan Masood admitted Australia would be high on confidence.

“The positive thing will be to have the belief to play well, and all those playing contribute to give Australia some tough times.”

Masood insisted the tourists had prepared well for this series.

“We tried to replicate the Australian conditions in our training camp in Rawalpindi, which has a bouncy pitch,” he said.

He also hailed the appointment of former England skipper Adam Hollioake, who coaches in Australia, as the team’s new batting coach.

“Teams hire people who have local knowledge, and he is an expert in Australian conditions so his appointment will help us to apply ourselves in those conditions.”

He also backed his predecessor Azam to have a big tour, saying the team’s batting “will go around him”.

“We want to play the type of cricket that our fans enjoy — a good and fighting brand,” he said.

READ: Rahul Dravid to continue as head coach of India

Shan Masood hits ton on Day one of scenario-based practice match

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.

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

READ: Hasan Ali plays Kabaddi with team masseur Malang Ali amid training

Chief selector Wahab Riaz visits Pakistan training camp

RAWALPINDI: Wahab Riaz, the head of the national men’s selection committee, visited the Pakistan team’s training camp for the upcoming three-match Test series against Australia.

Wahab Riaz overviewed the Pakistan team’s preparation for the Australia series and met team manager Naveed Akram Cheema.

He also talked to newly appointed Pakistan Test and T20I captains Shan Masood and Shaheen Afridi, as well as, team Director Mohammad Hafeez.

Pakistan’s 18-member squad kicked off training yesterday for the Australian tour scheduled to commence on December 14.

According to the details, 18 players including seven additional players Arshad Iqbal, Kashif Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usama Mir, and Usman Qadir, partook in the team’s first training session.

Earlier Thursday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) invited three more pacers Sameen Gul, Ali Shafique, and Muhammad Ali to the training camp.

The players participated in several fielding drills and carried out robust batting and bowling sessions.

Pakistan’s training camp for the Australia tour will run until November 28.

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Opening batter Imam-ul-Haq and all-rounder Faheem Ashraf will miss the entirety of the training camp due to their upcoming wedding festivities.

They are expected to join the squad in Lahore on 30th November, 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

READ: Marlon Samuels handed a six-year ban from all forms of cricket

PCB names separate T20I, Test captains after Babar’s resignation

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday, appointed Shan Masood and Shaheen Shah Afridi as Test and T20I captains respectively.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, the PCB shared the new captains of the national team for the Test and T20I format.

“Presenting our captains. [Shan Masood] has been appointed Test captain while [Shaheen Shah Afridi] will lead the T20I side,” PCB wrote.

 

Shan Masood’s first assignment will be a three-match away Test series against Australia, starting on December 14.

Whereas, Shaheen Afridi’s first challenge as the T20I captain will be a five-match series against New Zealand, scheduled for January.

Meanwhile, the PCB will appoint the ODI captain in due course. Notably, Pakistan’s next ODI fixture is scheduled in November 2024 when they tour Australia for a three-match each ODI and T20I series.

Furthermore, the PCB has appointed former Test captain Muhammad Hafeez as Team Director – replacing Mickey Arthur, who was named recently after Najam Sethi-led management came into power.

The development came after star batter Babar Azam announced to step down as all-format captain following the team’s dismal performance in the ongoing World Cup 2023.

“Today, I am stepping down as the captain of Pakistan in all formats. It’s a difficult decision but I feel it is a right time for this call,” the right-handed batter said in a statement issued on X (Formerly Twitter).

Babar’s resignation came shortly after he met Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Management Committee Chairman Zaka Ashraf at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.

Sources told ARY News that the PCB decided to retain Babar Azam as captain for the upcoming Test series against Australia scheduled to commence on December 14 next month.

The right-hand batter was apprised that the PCB would bring in a new captain for the white-ball format.

However, sources claimed, Babar was not in favour of retaining captaincy for any one format.

It is pertinent to mention here that the star batter was appointed white-ball captain in 2019 and as Test skipper in 2021.

Meanwhile, Babar Azam – in a statement – said that he will continue to represent Pakistan as a player in all three formats.

“I vividly remember the moment when I received the call from PCB to lead Pakistan in 2019. Over the past four years, I’ve experienced many highs and lows on and off the field, but I wholeheartedly and passionately aimed to maintain Pakistan’s pride and respect in the cricket world,” the right-handed batter said.

He pointed out that Pakistan cricket team reached the number 1 spot in the white-ball format due to “collective efforts of players, coaches, and management”.

Azam also expressed gratitude to passionate Pakistan cricket fans for their “unwavering support during this journey”.

“I will continue to represent Pakistan as a player in all three formats. I am here to support the new captain and the team with my experience and dedication,” he said, acknowledging PCB for “entrusting me with this significant responsibility”.

Babar Azam’s captaincy and his future in the role came under question following the national team’s below-par performance in the World Cup 2023.

READ: Morne Morkel steps down as Pakistan bowling coach

Pakistan Cup: Shan Masood’s ton powers Karachi Whites to second victory

Karachi Whites’ stand-in captain Shan Masood scored an unbeaten century in the run chase and powered his side to thump Lahore Whites by eight wickets in the fourth round of the ongoing Pakistan Cup 2023.

Lahore Whites scored 249-5 in the allotted 45 overs after being put into bat first by Karachi Whites at Pindi Cricket Stadium.

Tayyab Tahir top-scored for the side, hitting an undefeated 92 from 93 balls, including eight fours and a six.

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He was supported by Umar Akmal, who chipped in with 45 from 35 including two boundaries and as many sixes. Left-arm spinner Noman Ali and pacer Anwar Ali bagged two wickets each.

Karachi Whites got to 250-2 in 34.4 overs owing to extraordinary batting by left-handed opener Shan Masood.

He scored an unbeaten century (121 not out, 99b, 12x6s, 2x6s), which placed the game completely in Karachi Whites’ favour. His efforts were complemented by veteran Asad Shafiq (86 not out, 89b, 9x4s).

Ahmed Bashir was the solitary wicket-taker for Lahore Whites, accounting for the two wickets to fall.

In the 13th match of the Pakistan Cup, on the back of half-centuries by Kamran Ghulam and Adil Amin, Peshawar defeated Lahore Blues by six wickets.

After winning the toss, Peshawar invited Lahore Blues to bat first at Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium. The Imran Butt-led side were dismissed for 173 in 42 overs.

The skipper scored bulk of the runs, hitting 94 from 129, including 10 boundaries and a maximum. The second-best score of the innings came from Rizwan Hussain’s bat, who produced 22 from 17, including four boundaries.

Left-arm spinner Azam Khan returned with a four-wicket haul. Off-spinner Sajid Khan and fast bowler Mohammad Imran got two wickets each.

It took Peshawar 35.4 overs to complete the target of 174, losing only four wickets in the chase. Kamran Ghulam (54, 49b, 8x4s, 1×6) and Adil Amin (50 not out, 74b, 5x4s, 1×6) ensured that the chase remained comfortably in their control.

Ali Shafique took two wickets while Hunain Shah Ibtisam-ul-Haq had one each.

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Meanwhile, in another fourth-round fixture of the Pakistan Cup, Mubasir Khan’s heroics powered Rawalpindi to a seven-wicket win over Faisalabad.

Rawalpindi opted to bowl first after winning the toss against Faisalabad at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium. Faheem Ashraf-led Faisalabad managed to score 197 in 39.5 overs.

Mohammad Saleem (41, 55b, 5x4s, 1×6) and Ali Shan (37, 42b, 5x4s) were the notable run-getters for the side. Mehran Mumtaz, Mohammad Awais Anwar and Jahandad Khan grabbed two wickets each.

After losing three early wickets in the chase, an unbroken 179-run-stand between Mubasir Khan and Umar Amin turned the game in Rawalpindi’s favour, who got over the line in 38.5 overs.

Mubasir remained one short of his century, hitting an undefeated 99 from 105, including seven fours and four sixes. Umar also hit a crucial half-century (65 not out, 98b, 7x4s). Khurram Shahzad grabbed two wickets while Waqas Maqsood bagged a wicket as well.

In the 16th match of the Pakistan Cup, Multan suffered a heavy defeat by 60 runs against FATA at Mirpur Cricket Stadium.

The side could only manage to get to 129 while chasing 190. FATA impressed with the ball while defending a low target; skipper Khushdil Shah accounted for three scalps and Asif Afridi and Irfanullah Shah bagged two wickets each.

Fighting knocks by Sharoon Siraj (58, 82b, 3x4s, 4x6s) and Sharjeel Khan (38, 32b, 5x4s, 1×6) went in vain.

Earlier, after being asked to bat first, FATA got to 189 in 42.5 overs, on the backs of gritty batting efforts by Mohammad Sarwar Afridi (53, 79b, 4x4s, 2x6s), Khushdil (33, 50b, 2x4s) and Mohammad Farooq (32, 30b, 6x4s, 1×6).

Leg-spinner Zahid Mehmood had three wickets to his name, while Tahir Hussain, Waseem Akram and Faisal Akram claimed two wickets each.

READ: Bangladesh beat Pakistan Women in a super over thriller

Saim Ayub, Shan Masood put Karachi Whites in command in QEAT final

Saim Ayub and Shan Masood’s splendid batting vaulted Karachi Whites to 398 for the loss of just two wickets on the opening day of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy (QEAT) 2023-24 final against Faisalabad at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.

Saim remained unbeaten on 200 at stumps with Omair Bin Yousuf the other batter not out at two. Shan contributed with a remarkable 180 before getting out while opening batter Khurram Manzoor made three runs.

In the five-day final of the country’s premier first-class tournament, QEAT, Faisalabad captain Faheem Ashraf won the toss and decided to field first.

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Khurram Manzoor’s dismissal off the bowling of Khurram Shahzad in the fifth over of the day seemed to lift Faisalabad but Shan and Saim soon conjured a riveting counterattack.

The second-wicket stand yielded a mammoth 367 runs in 403 deliveries with Shan and Saim Ayub punishing the Faisalabad bowlers all over the park.

Shan Masood recorded the 24th first-class ton of his career, smashing 13 boundaries and seven sixes along his 182-ball stay at the crease that was ended by Arshad Iqbal.

Watch QEAT 2023/24 Live On ARY ZAP

Saim Ayub also scored his runs briskly, belting 22 fours and two maximums in his 244-ball 200 not out. This was Saim’s second first-class century, having scored his maiden ton earlier in the tournament against Multan at Shoaib Akhtar Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi.

Faisalabad will be hoping for a better outing on the second day after only Khurram Shahzad and Arshad Iqbal were their successful bowlers on day one as Karachi Whites maintained a run-rate of 5.10.

For the unversed, persistent rain in the region, the first three days of play across the four venues of the QEAT 2023-24 were massively affected and thus no definitive results could be produced on the final day of round seven of the tournament, with all four games ending in draws.

Consequently, Faheem Ashraf’s Faisalabad and Sarfaraz Ahmed’s Karachi Whites topped the points table after the conclusion of the seventh round.

READ: Pakistan face spin-heavy Afghanistan in crucial World Cup clash

Shadab Khan shuts down fan for criticizing Hasan Ali

Pakistani all-rounder, Shadab Khan defended fellow cricketer Hassan Ali after a fan criticized one of his social media posts.

Shadab Khan on Friday, shared his pictures in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter). Hasan Ali shared his post with a caption in their national language as a gesture of love and appreciation for his teammate and friend.

However, a user on X did not approve of this and shared the post with a caption expressing the need for players to learn ‘how to use social media platforms’ properly.

“For God’s Sake @RealHa55an. You are an international cricketer…!! @TheRealPCBMedia @Rehan_ulhaq @TheRealPCB at least educate them how to use social media platforms,” the user wrote on X.

However, Shadab Khan stepped in to defend Hasan Ali, he shared the user’s post and gave a strong response, stating that it’s important to appreciate and embrace one’s own culture.

He also pointed out that even famous athletes like Lionel Messi don’t speak English, so there’s no need to feel embarrassed about not conforming to certain standards.

Pakistani opening batter Shan Masood also joined the fray with his own take on the whole situation. He responded to Shadab’s post by stating that it is a common national habit to belittle others in order to elevate ourselves.

Fast bowler Hasan Ali recently underwent surgery on his finger after he suffered an injury while playing for Dambulla Aura in the Lanka Premier League (LPL) playoff game against Galle Titans.

While Shadab Khan is currently in Sri Lanka with the national team to participate in the three-match ODI series against Afghanistan starting on August 22.

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