Hot sunny day, Jam-packed stadium and ideal conditions for the game of test cricket, It’s not less than a Christmas treat for a passionate cricket fans.
Now less than 12 hours left for the boxing day test. MCG invites all cricket freaks around the globe for the epic showdown where Australia to take on Pakistan for the tomorrow’s boxing day test cricket. After a mammoth defeat by 360 runs for Pakistan against Australia at the Optus Stadium in Perth with more than a day to spare. The Question Arise, Is Pakistan competent enough to level up the series 1-1 against the ‘Mighty Australia’? Isn’t their bowling lineup a matter of concern? Will injury-hit Pakistan can end fifteen test losing streak in a deadly Melbourne bouncy wicket?
These are some challenges that Pakistan cricket team needs to overcome from so that they can give their best. But again the question is, Are they competent enough?
Pakistan Pacer Naseem Shah was the first man to ruled out of this series followed by leg spinner Abrar Ahmed and now Pace bowler Khurram Shahzad who was excellent with a ball in first test has also been ruled out of the remaining matches in Australia due to a rib stress fracture and abdominal muscle tear. Pakistan’s Bowling lineup has been a point of concern in this entire series. Somewhere Pakistan is lacking quality of pace attack who could assist Shaheen Afridi with the new ball.
Pakistan’s chief selector Wahab Riaz says The 30-year-old Haris Rauf who recently was the subject of controversy, ‘allegedly breached the clauses of his central contract by not prioritising national duties’. Right now Haris Rauf is featured in BBL 13, playing for Melbourne Stars.
Pat Cummins, Australia World Cup winning skipper, said it is a great start to the summer and he is happy with the result. He also said that the built-up of the team was very chill and relaxing, and for that these results are popping off. He also praised the way David Warner played his innings, continuing that it was important as he helped his team to build up the game and form a lead for his team. He also noted they are going home for the ‘Boxing Day’ spending time with their families and returning to their training just after that span of holidays.
Shan Masood in post match presentation said Managing two debutants in a four-seam attack is never easy. He applauds Aamer Jamal and Khurram Shahzad for their impressive debuts and concludes by acknowledging Australia with a promise to come back stronger in the next match.
Recently Former England cricketer Michael Vaughan said that only India have the ability to compete with Australia in their home soil in test cricket. Vaughan made the comments after Pat Cummins and Company beat Pakistan by 360 runs in the first Test at the Perth Stadium.
Pitch Condition:
Melbourne Cricket Ground is a well-balanced venue for both batters and bowlers. Good bounce and pace for fast bowlers. Usually, spinners don’t play a crucial role here. Average 1st innings scores is 307 while 2nd innings scores 313. Out of 116 test matches played in Melbourne Cricket Ground. 56 Matches won by the team when batting first whereas 42 matches won while bowling first. Winning a toss and batting first will give a good decision.
Head to Head Australia vs Pakistan:
Australia and Pakistan have faced each other in 70 matches in Test. Out of these 70 games, Australia have won 35 whereas Pakistan have come out victorious on 15 occasions. 20 matches ended with draw.
Australia vs Pakistan Playing XI, MCG
Australia playing eleven to remain unchanged.
Australia XI: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (capt), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
Pakistan probable XI: Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (capt), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali, Mir Hamza, Aamer Jamal, Sajid Khan.