Pakistan’s Director of Cricket, Mohammad Hafeez, expressed dissatisfaction with the pitch used in the team’s four-day practice match against Australia’s Prime Minister XI at Manuka Oval in Canberra. The match, which concluded in a draw, served as preparation for the upcoming three-match series between Australia and Pakistan starting on December 14. Hafeez criticized the slow pitch, stating it was the slowest a visiting team could ever play on in Australia.
During a training session at WACA Stadium in Perth, Hafeez shared his disappointment with the unexpected pitch conditions but emphasized the team’s readiness for the challenges ahead. He downplayed it as an excuse, stating, “We’re absolutely ready for the challenges coming up.”
Addressing Pakistan’s newly-appointed Test captain, Shan Masood, Hafeez praised his leadership qualities, citing Shan’s readiness for the role and his exceptional performance in the practice match, where he scored an unbeaten 201 in the first innings.
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The article notes that the first Test will be played at the Optus Stadium in Perth, and it provides the list of players in the Pakistan squad for the series.
Pakistan squad: 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
