Pakistan squeeze in extra warm-up match before MCG showdown

Pakistan’s request for an extra tour match leading up to the second Test against Australia has been accepted by Cricket Australia (CA).

Prior to the upcoming Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) scheduled from December 26 to 30, the Men in Green are set to play a two-day practice game against a Victoria side on December 22-23 at Junction Oval, St. Kilda.

Peter Handscomb is expected to lead the Victoria XI featuring two more former Test players in Marcus Harris and Will Pucovski.

This additional fixture aims to provide the Pakistani squad with valuable preparation and acclimatization ahead of the second Test.

The Pakistan cricket team is set to touch down in Melbourne on the 19th of December. After a day of rest on the 20th, the Men in Green will have a training session on Thursday.

Pakistan squad: 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, Shaheen Afridi

Australia squad: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (captain), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland, Cameron Green, Lance Morris

Australia tour schedule:

1st Test – Australia vs Pakistan – December 14-18: Perth Stadium

2nd Test – Australia vs Pakistan – December 26-30: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)

3rd Test – Australia vs Pakistan – January 3-7: Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG)