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What Is Boxing Day Test? Why Day After Christmas Holds Such Significance?

As 'Boxing Day' arrives, so does cricketing action, with Australia scheduled to take on Pakistan in the 2nd Test of the series while India are set to square off with South Africa in the opening match of the 2-Test assignment. Every single year, cricketing bodies attempt to schedule important matches of global significance on this day, and the case this year is no different, with two big events scheduled. But what makes 'Boxing Day' so special in sports?

Watch: Shaheen Afridi Can't Believe As Asad Shafique Drops Sitter, Gives David Warner Lifeline

Catches win matches, as goes the saying but Pakistan didn't have the best of start in the field as they took on Australia in the second Test of series in Melbourne. The tourists let the chance of getting the dangerous Aussie opening batter David Warner out early as Asad Shafique dropped one of the easiest chances in the slips. David Warner edged a delivery from Shaheen Shah Afridi into the hands of Shafique who just coudn't grab the ball successfully, leaving his teammates disappointed and Warner amused.

Watch: Usman Khawaja's Baby Daughter Hugs Babar Azam. Internet Can't Keep Calm

Pakistan cricket team skipper Shan Masood along with star batter Babar Azam and other members of the support staff visited the Australian cricketers at their indoor practice session with Christmas gifts on Monday. The Pakistan cricketers had gifts for the cricketers and lollipops for the children present at the Melbourne Cricket Ground facility. The Australian cricketers were extremely happy with the heartwarming gesture and skipper Pat Cummins could not stop praising the effort. A cute moment was when Usman Khawaja's baby daughter hugged Babar and the video of the moment has gone viral on social media.

"Sometimes You Just Gotta Laugh": Usman Khawaja's 'Double Standards' Dig At ICC

Usman Khawaja took to social media to take a dig at the International Cricket Council (ICC) amid the controversy surrounding the governing body's decision to not allow him to sport a 'symbol of peace' on his bat during the second Test match between Australia and Pakistan in Melbourne starting December 26. The Australian cricket team opener earlier wanted to wear shoes that had the messages “all lives are equal” and “freedom is a human right” during the first Test in support of the victims who suffered as a result of the Israel-Hamas conflict. ICC denied that request from Khawaja and later, when he asked for permission to sport the 'dove' symbol on his bat, his request was once again denied.

Watch: Pakistan's Christmas Gesture For Australian Cricketers Wins Hearts

Australia will face Pakistan in the second Test match in Melbourne starting December 26 but ahead of the game, a special gesture from the Shan Masood-led side has won hearts. Masood, along with former skipper Babar Azam and few members of the team management, visited the Australian team during their indoor practice session at the Melbourne Cricket Ground with gifts and candies for everyone. The cricketers interacted with each other and gave out lollipops for all the kids present. The gesture won many hearts online and Australia skipper Pat Cummins could not stop praising the effort.

"You Are Going To Become A 'Medium Pacer'": Pakistan Legend Blasts Shaheen Afridi

The fast bowlers of Pakistan have come under the scanner after their lack of pace against Australia in the first Test in Perth. Pakistan are quite restricted in terms of putting up a quality pace bowling line-up with Naseem Shah nursing an injury and Haris Rauf opting out of the ongoing three-match Test series against Australia. Without experience, the majority of the burden fell on Shan Masood's deputy Shaheen Shah Afridi, but even he struggled to generate pace. Criticising the left-arm pacer, Pakistan's pace legend Waqar Younis said that if he continues like this, he will become a 'medium pacer'.

Australia Name Unchanged Playing Xi For Boxing Day Test Against Pakistan

Melbourne's hometown star Scott Boland remains on the sidelines as Australia on Monday named an unchanged playing XI for the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan. Australia, a day before the clash, confirmed an unchanged Playing XI with skipper Pat Cummins admitting that Boland was unlucky to miss out. Boland announced himself to the world when he took 6-7 on his debut in the MCG against England in the 2021-22 Ashes. But he will remain on the sidelines as the pace-tiro of Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood are fit to take part in the second Test on Tuesday.

"I Don't Think That's...": Pat Cummins On Usman Khawaja's 'Dove Logo' For Gaza Crisis

Australian captain Pat Cummins on Monday came in support of his teammate Usman Khawaja, saying the opener's attempt to bring to the fore the humanitarian crisis in Gaza was "not offensive". Cricket's global governing body ICC has rejected Khawaja's application to have a sticker showing a black dove holding an olive branch on his bat and shoes during the Boxing Day Test against Pakistan. Cummins said he finds no difference between Khawaja displaying a dove logo on his shoe and bat to raise awareness of humanitarian issues and teammate Marnus Labuschagne displaying an eagle on his bat which signifies a personal religious message.

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What Is Boxing Day Test? Why Day After Christmas Holds Such Significance?

Watch: Shaheen Afridi Can't Believe As Asad Shafique Drops Sitter, Gives David Warner Lifeline

Watch: Usman Khawaja's Baby Daughter Hugs Babar Azam. Internet Can't Keep Calm

"Sometimes You Just Gotta Laugh": Usman Khawaja's 'Double Standards' Dig At ICC

Watch: Pakistan's Christmas Gesture For Australian Cricketers Wins Hearts

"You Are Going To Become A 'Medium Pacer'": Pakistan Legend Blasts Shaheen Afridi

Australia Name Unchanged Playing Xi For Boxing Day Test Against Pakistan

"I Don't Think That's...": Pat Cummins On Usman Khawaja's 'Dove Logo' For Gaza Crisis