Pakistan bat against Australia in Rawalpindi opener
ISLAMABAD : Pakistan captain Babar Azam won the toss and elected to bat in the opening test against Australia in Rawalpindi on Friday.
Islamabad Sport News
Pakistan vs Australia: 'Looks a good wicket', Pat Cummins upbeat for historic Rawalpindi Test
Pat Cummins and Babar Azam on the eve of the match. Rain forced both teams to cancel their practice sessions Thursday, but the forecast is clear for Friday and most of Saturday, with showers likely on the last three days of play. Despite the weather, Cummins and Azam were geared up for the historic Test -- to be played in front of a sell-out 16,000 crowd in Rawalpindi, the garrison city just south of the capital, Islamabad. Australia haven't toured Pakistan since 1998 as security issues kept international teams from visiting, and as a result are unfamiliar with the local pitches. "It looks like a good wicket... as expected," Cummins told reporters on the eve of the match.
Australia Captain Pat Cummins Upbeat For Historic Pakistan Test
Australia's first Test in Pakistan in 24 years starting Friday is threatened by rain, but even storm clouds failed to dampen the mood of rival captains Pat Cummins and Babar Azam on the eve of the match. Rain forced both teams to cancel their practice sessions Thursday, but the forecast is clear for Friday and most of Saturday, with showers likely on the last three days of play. Despite the weather, Cummins and Azam were geared up for the historic Test -- to be played in front of a sell-out 16,000 crowd in Rawalpindi, the garrison city just south of the capital, Islamabad.
Depleted Pakistan promise 'tough time' to Australia
ISLAMABAD : Pakistan are determined to give Australia a "tough time" in the opening test in Rawalpindi, despite losing three players to injuries and ailment, home captain Babar Azam said on Thursday.
Cricket-Australia consider two spinners for Rawalpindi test v Pakistan
ISLAMABAD (Reuters) - Australia cricket captain Pat Cummins did not reveal the makeup of his team for the opening test against Pakistan but said playing two spinners remained an option in Rawalpindi on Friday.
Australia consider two spinners for Rawalpindi test v Pakistan
ISLAMABAD : Australia cricket captain Pat Cummins did not reveal the makeup of his team for the opening test against Pakistan but said playing two spinners remained an option in Rawalpindi on Friday.
Aussie spin consultant Fawad catches COVID
Australia's spin bowling consultant Fawad Ahmed has tested positive to COVID-19 and will isolate in a Pakistan hotel for the next five days.
Pakistan vs Australia Preview: Australia Step Into Unknown For 1st Test In Pakistan Since 1998
Australia take on Pakistan in the first Test of the three-match series from Fiday and the series opener will be played in Rawalpindi. All Pakistan vs Australia Test series will now be called the Benaud-Qadir series, named after legendary Australia all-rounder Richie Benaud and Pakistani leg-spin great Abdul Qadir. Ashes-winning Australia will face unfamiliar conditions, heavy security and unpredictable, but talented, opponents when they begin their first Test in Pakistan for 24 years on Friday. Having landed in Islamabad just three days ago to be immediately engulfed in "head of state-level security", the Australians have had little time to acclimatise to conditions in Rawalpindi, where the first Test will be played. But they may like what they see as they practise, with a pitch often more conducive to seam bowling than the more typical spinners' wickets more usually found across Pakistan.