Sports Bulletin

Aamir Ali Janjua Dubai:-Ravindra Jadeja’s performance at India's recent Test home win against Sri Lanka in Mohali has catapulted him to the no. 1 position in the MRF Tyres ICC Men's Test Player Rankings. His unbeaten 175 lifted him up to 17 places from 54th to 37th with the bat and he added nine wickets to move up to 17th with the ball. His all-round contribution was enough for him to regain the top all-rounder spot from Jason Holder, who had held it since February 2021. Jadeja’s only previous time on top was in August 2017, when he spent a week at number one. The Rawalpindi Test between host Pakistan and Australia was a batting feast, and Imam-ul-Haq celebrated by striking a century in each innings to move to a career best 63rd with 477 points. Hi teammate Azhar Ali struck 185 and moved up ten places to 12 whilst Abdullah Shafique added a second-innings century to gain 27 places to 67. Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne missed out on a century, being dismissed for 90, but that was enough to gain a point up to 936 and 12th position on his own in the list of highest-ever batting ratings. Usman Khawaja also fell in the 90s but continued his renaissance, moving up six places to 24 with the bat, his highest position for three years. In bowlers, Nauman Ali of Pakistan impressed with figures of 6-107 in Australia’s first innings and saw him gain 19 places to 51. In T20I cricket, whilst the top 12 batters are unchanged, at joint thirteenth position is Afghanistan’s Hazratullah Zazai, who’s unbeaten 59 in the second match against Bangladesh at Mirpur ensured a shared series win. For the hosts, Liton Das starred in the first match with 60, which helped him to gain 26 places to 49th over the course of the series. With the ball, Nasum Ahmed has made his first appearance in the top 10 bowlers, thanks to his ‘Player of the Match’ performance of 4-10 in the first match.

BIPIN DANI Former Sri Lankan cricketer Naveed Nawaz is Cricket Advisory Committee's (CAC) first choice as national coach, it is learnt. According to the highly placed sources in SLC (Sri Lanka Cricket), the CAC has sent a list of several candidates for various coaching assignments. "We submitted the list about a month ago and Naveed Nawaz is our first choice to be the coach of the national men's team", one of the CAC members, speaking exclusively over telephone from Colombo said. "We interviewed 23 candidates and the total12-hour long interview process also included foreigners". It is assumed that the 48-year-old former left-handed batsman's name was sent after at least two foreigners (Paul Farbrace and Graham Ford) backed out. "It was a decision of majority members and his final name was then suggested unanimously". It is not known why the SLC has not yet appointed any full-time coach. "The CAC didn't discuss the remuneration part. That is for the SLC to negotiate with the individuals", the CAC member added. In the meantime, no decision is yet taken on Lahiru Kumara's return. "The injured pacer is out of cricket for more than a month. There is no point in keeping him with the team", the SLC source added. "He is still in Mohali and the decision about him will be taken soon when boys travel to Bangalore on Wednesday afternoon".

Abdul Jabbar Faisal RAWALPINDI:-The first Test match of three-match series between hosts Pakistan and Australia ended in a draw at Pindi Cricket Stadium Rawalpindi on Tuesday, as Pakistan scored 252 runs in their second inning without wasting any batter. Earlier, Australia scored 459 runs in their first innings with 17 runs deficit. Left arm spinner Nuaman Ali was higest wicket taker bowler with 6 for 107. Afridi got two while Sajid Khan and Naseem Shah shared one wicket each. It was seemed that hosts will set a total for visitor in the last 20 overs less or more to entertain the cricket lovers of twin cities Rawalpindi and Islamabad. Pakistani opener Imam and Abdullah started their second innings carefully and hit some strokes too but run rate was not enough to declare the innings and set a target for Kangaroos. Pakistan scored 252 runs in their second innings in 77 overs and total lead was 269. Abdullah Shafiq was unbeaten with 136 runs, as he faced 242 balls and smashed 15 fours and a single six. His teammate Imam-ul-Haq scored 111 runs and faced 233 balls. He hit 7 fours and couple of six on spin bowlers. Day-1 First Session: (105 for 1 in 35 overs, Iman-ul-Haq 57 not out & Azhar Ali 0 not out) Second Session: (171 for 1 in 56 overs, Imam-ul-Hq 92 not out & Azhar Ali 30 not out) Third Session (245 for 1 in 90 overs, Imam-ul-Haq 132 not out, Azhar Ali 64 not out, Lyon 1 for 87) Day-2 First Session: 302 for 1 in 115 overs (Imam-ul-Haq154 not out, Azhar Ali 96 not out, Nathin Lyon 1 for 106) Second Session: 394 for 2 in 142 overs (Imam-ul-Haq 157, Azhar Ali 151 not out, Babar Azam 33 not out Third Session: Pakistan 476 for 4 declare (Azhar Ali 185, Rizwan 46 and Babar Azam 36) Day-3 First Session: Australia 138 for 0 (Usman Kawaja 70 runs not out & David Warner 60 runs not out) Second Session: Australia 222 for 2 (Usman Kawaja 97, Marnus 33 not out, Smith 12 not out) Third Session: Australia 271 for 2 in 73 overs (Marnus 69 not out, Smith 24 not out) Day-4 First Session: No play due to wet ground Second Session: Australia 364 for 4 in 106 overs (Marnus 90 runs, Smith 61 not out, Nauman 2 for 79 Third Session: Australia 449 for 7 in 137 overs (Marnus 90, Smith 79: Numan 4 for 107) Day-5 First Session: Australia 459 all out in 140.1 overs (Numan Ali 6 for 107) Second Session: Pakistan 191 for 0 in 55 overs (Imam-ul-Haq 89, Abdullah Shafiq 99) Third Session: Pakistan 252 runs for 0 in 77 overs (Abdullah Shafiq 136 not out(242 balls, 4X15, 6X1), Imam-ul-Haq 111 (233 balls, 4X7, 6X2)   Brief Scorecard: Pakistan Batting (First innings) 476 for 4 in 162 overs Azhar Ali 185 (361 balls, 4X15, 6X3), Imam-ul-Haq 157 (358 balls, 4X10, 6X2), Abdullah Shafiq 44 (105 balls, 4X3) Babar Azam 36 (82 balls 4X3). Australia Bowling (First innings): Nathan Lyon (1 for 161), Pat Cummins (1 for 62), Marnus Labuschagne (1 for 53) Australia Batting (First innigs): 459 all out in 140.1 overs Usman Kawaja 97 (159 balls, 4X15), Marnus Labuschange 90 (158 balls 4X12), Steven Smith 78 (196 balls, 4X8), David Warner 68 (114 balls, 4X12). Pakistan Bowling (First innings): Numan Ali (6 for 107), Shaheen Shah Afridi (2 for 85), Naseem Shah (1 for 89), Sajid Khan (1 for 122) Pakistan Batting (Second Innings): Pakistan 252 runs for 0 in 77 overs Abdullah Shafiq 136 not out(242 balls, 4X15, 6X1), Imam-ul-Haq 111 (233 balls, 4X7, 6X2)   Pakistan Playing XI: Babar Azam (captain), Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Iftikhar Ahmed, Noman Ali, Sajid Sajid Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah Australia Playing XI: Pat Cummins (captain), Usman Kawaja, David Warner, Marnus Laboschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameroon Green, Alex Cary (wicketkeeper), Mitchell Starc, Nathin Lyon, Josh Hazlewood Match officials: Aleem Dar and Ahsan Raza (on-field), Asif Yaqoob (third umpire), Rashid Riaz (fourth umpire), Ranjan Madugalle (match referee) Officials Scorers: Shakil Ahmed & Fazal-e-Azeem (field) Adnan Farooq & Zafar Yasir (Press Gallery).

Abdul Jabbar Faisal RAWALPINDI:-Visitors posted 449 runs for 7 on the board in 137 overs on the end of Day-4 at Pindi Cricket Stadium Rawalpindi on Monday, as the major contributors was Marnus Labuschagne with 90 runs, as he faced 158 balls and hit 12 boundaries.                                                                        12 Last night play was halted owing to poor light and 23 overs wasted in morning session, as total 41 overs wasted so far in the Australian innings. Marnus scored 90 runs for Australia. Day-1 First Session: (105 for 1 in 35 overs, Iman-ul-Haq 57 not out & Azhar Ali 0 not out) Second Session: (171 for 1 in 56 overs, Imam-ul-Hq 92 not out & Azhar Ali 30 not out) Third Session (245 for 1 in 90 overs, Imam-ul-Haq 132 not out, Azhar Ali 64 not out, Lyon 1 for 87) Day-2 First Session: 302 for 1 in 115 overs (Imam-ul-Haq154 not out, Azhar Ali 96 not out, Nathin Lyon 1 for 106) Second Session: 394 for 2 in 142 overs (Imam-ul-Haq 157, Azhar Ali 151 not out, Babar Azam 33 not out Third Session: Pakistan 476 for 4 declare (Azhar Ali 185, Rizwan 46 and Babar Azam 36) Day-3 First Session: Australia 138 for 0 (Usman Kawaja 70 runs not out & David Warner 60 runs not out) Second Session: Australia 222 for 2 (Usman Kawaja 97, Marnus 33 not out, Smith 12 not out) Third Session: Australia 271 for 2 in 73 overs (Marnus 69 not out, Smith 24 not out) Day-4 First Session: No play due to wet ground Second Session: Australia 364 for 4 in 106 overs (Marnus 90 runs, Smith 61 not out, Nauman 2 for 79 Third Session: Australia 449 for 7 in 137 overs (Marnus 90, Smith 79: Numan 4 for 107) Scorecard: Pakistan Batting (476 for 4 in 162 overs): Abdullah Shafique (c Cummins b Lyon) 44-105 Imam-ul-Haq (lbw b Cummins) 157-358 Azhar Ali (c Green b Labuschagne) 185-361 Babar Azam (run out-Labuschagne) 36-82 Mohammad Rizwan 29 not out-                46 Iftikhar Ahmed                 13 not out-21 Extras    (b 4, lb 7, No, Balls1)-12 TOTAL: 476/4 in 162 overs            Did not bat: Fawad Alam, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah Fall of wickets: 1-105 (Abdullah Shafique, 33.6 overs), 2-313 (Imam-ul-Haq, 120.5 overs), 3-414 (Babar Azam, 147.1 overs), 4-442 (Azhar Ali, 155.4 overs) Australia Bowling: Nathan Lyon (1 for 161), Pat Cummins (1 for 62), Marnus Labuschagne (1 for 53) Australia Batting: 5 for 0 in 1 over Usman Khawaja (5 not out), David Warner (0 not out) Pakistan Playing XI: Babar Azam (captain), Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Iftikhar Ahmed, Noman Ali, Sajid Sajid Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah Australia Playing XI: Pat Cummins (captain), Usman Kawaja, David Warner, Marnus Laboschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameroon Green, Alex Cary (wicketkeeper), Mitchell Starc, Nathin Lyon, Josh Hazlewood Match officials: Aleem Dar and Ahsan Raza (on-field), Asif Yaqoob (third umpire), Rashid Riaz (fourth umpire), Ranjan Madugalle (match referee) Officials Scorers: Shakil Ahmed, Fazal-e-Azeem (field) Adnan Farooq(press gallery).

Abdul Jabbar Faisal RAWALPINDI:-Australia closed the Day-3 game at 271 for 2 in 73 overs, as the day called off before the time owing to poor light at Pindi Cricket Stadium Rawalpindi on Sunday. Usman Kawaja played a notable innings of 97 runs in 159 balls, as he hit 15 fours. He lost his wicket while trying to play a reverse sweep on the bowling of Numan. Imam took his catch, as Aleem Dar had to reverse his decision after seeing reply. Earlier, Sajid broke the first wicket partnership at 156 in 44.4 overs, when he clean bold David Warner at 68 runs, as he hit 12 boundaries after facing 114 ball with the strike-rate of 59.4. Both openers aggregated 156 runs for the first wickets. Only spinners Sajid and Numan could got each one wicket for Pakistan. Australia will resume their inning tomorrow (Monday) morning at 271 for 2, as they are still in 105 runs deficit. Day-1 First Session: (105 for 1 in 35 overs, Iman-ul-Haq 57 not out & Azhar Ali 0 not out) Second Session: (171 for 1 in 56 overs, Imam-ul-Hq 92 not out & Azhar Ali 30 not out) Third Session (245 for 1 in 90 overs, Imam-ul-Haq 132 not out, Azhar Ali 64 not out, Lyon 1 for 87) Day-2 First Session: 302 for 1 in 115 overs (Imam-ul-Haq154 not out, Azhar Ali 96 not out, Nathin Lyon 1 for 106) Second Session: 394 for 2 in 142 overs (Imam-ul-Haq 157, Azhar Ali 151 not out, Babar Azam 33 not out Third Session: Pakistan 476 for 4 declare (Azhar Ali 185, Rizwan 46 and Babar Azam 36) Day-3 First Session: Australia 138 for 0 (Usman Kawaja 70 runs not out & David Warner 60 runs not out) Second Session: Australia 222 for 2 (Usman Kawaja 97, Marnus 33 not out, Smith 12 not out) Third Session: Australia 271 for 2 in 73 overs (Marnus 69 not out, Smith 24 not out) Scorecard: Pakistan Batting (476 for 4 in 162 overs): Abdullah Shafique (c Cummins b Lyon) 44-105 Imam-ul-Haq (lbw b Cummins) 157-358 Azhar Ali (c Green b Labuschagne) 185-361 Babar Azam (run out-Labuschagne) 36-82 Mohammad Rizwan 29 not out- 46 Iftikhar Ahmed                 13 not out-21 Extras   (b 4, lb 7, No, Balls1)-12 TOTAL: 476/4 in 162 overs            Did not bat: Fawad Alam, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah Fall of wickets: 1-105 (Abdullah Shafique, 33.6 overs), 2-313 (Imam-ul-Haq, 120.5 overs), 3-414 (Babar Azam, 147.1 overs), 4-442 (Azhar Ali, 155.4 overs) Australia Bowling: Nathan Lyon (1 for 161), Pat Cummins (1 for 62), Marnus Labuschagne (1 for 53) Australia Batting: 5 for 0 in 1 over Usman Khawaja (5 not out), David Warner (0 not out) Pakistan Playing XI: Babar Azam (captain), Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Iftikhar Ahmed, Noman Ali, Sajid Sajid Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah Australia Playing XI: Pat Cummins (captain), Usman Kawaja, David Warner, Marnus Laboschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameroon Green, Alex Cary (wicketkeeper), Mitchell Starc, Nathin Lyon, Josh Hazlewood Match officials: Aleem Dar and Ahsan Raza (on-field), Asif Yaqoob (third umpire), Rashid Riaz (fourth umpire), Ranjan Madugalle (match referee) Officials Scorers: Shakil Ahmed, Fazal-e-Azeem (field) Adnan Farooq(press gallery).

BIPIN DANI Shane Warne's funeral will take place in Melbourne, Australia, according to his manager James Ereskine.  The 52-year-old legendary spinner passed (suspected due to the heart-attack) away in Thailand.  Speaking from Sydney, the  manager informs : "Warne along with his four friends went to Thailand (from Melbourne) on Wednesday. He was not on any cricketing assignments but on a holiday. One among the four is there is our office staff".  "The dead-body will be brought to Australia for his final rites. It may take a few more days as the High Commissioner's office is also involved in the process".    With Warne's exit, Muthiah Muralitharan has lost his cricket-partner.  "It (the age of 52) is not the age for any cricketer to leave", Muthiah Muralitharan, speaking exclusively to this reporter, said over the telephone.  "It is very shocking news and very hard to digest. We can't believe it. He was a legendary cricketer. We both played in the same era. The world of cricket fraternity will miss him. It is a big loss to the game. All his fans will miss him", Murali added.  Warne was the second highest Test wicket taker (708) after Murali's 800.  The series between Sri Lanka and Australia is played for the Warne-Muralitharan trophy.  "It is a very black day in international cricket when two great players-Rod Marsh and Warne passed away on the same day.  It will not be surprising if the players of both teams or at least the Sri Lanka's  wear a black armband on the second day of the ongoing Mohali Test on Saturday.   

Abdul Jabbar Faisal RAWALPINDI:-Pakistan have declared their first innings at 476 for 4 with the lion share of Azhar Ali with 185 runs innings at tea at Pindi Cricket Stadium Rawalpindi on Saturday. Australia were 5 without losing any wicket when umpires decided to call off the day-2 game owing to bad light, as 14 overs game wasted of the day. Day-1 First Session: (105 for 1 in 35 overs, Iman-ul-Haq 57 not out & Azhar Ali 0 not out) Second Session: (171 for 1 in 56 overs, Imam-ul-Hq 92 not out & Azhar Ali 30 not out) Third Session (245 for 1 in 90 overs, Imam-ul-Haq 132 not out, Azhar Ali 64 not out, Lyon 1 for 87) Day-2 First Session: 302 for 1 in 115 overs (Imam-ul-Haq154 not out, Azhar Ali 96 not out, Nathin Lyon 1 for 106) Second Session: 394 for 2 in 142 overs (Imam-ul-Haq 157, Azhar Ali 151 not out, Babar Azam 33 not out Third Session: Pakistan 476 for 4 declare (Azhar Ali 185, Rizwan 46 and Babar Azam 36) Pakistan Batting (476 for 4 in 162 overs): Abdullah Shafique (c Cummins b Lyon) 44-105 Imam-ul-Haq (lbw b Cummins) 157-358 Azhar Ali (c Green b Labuschagne) 185-361 Babar Azam (run out-Labuschagne) 36-82 Mohammad Rizwan 29 not out- 46 Iftikhar Ahmed                 13 not out-21 Extras   (b 4, lb 7, No, Balls1)-12 TOTAL: 476/4 in 162 overs            Did not bat: Fawad Alam, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah Fall of wickets: 1-105 (Abdullah Shafique, 33.6 overs), 2-313 (Imam-ul-Haq, 120.5 overs), 3-414 (Babar Azam, 147.1 overs), 4-442 (Azhar Ali, 155.4 overs) Australia Bowling: Nathan Lyon (1 for 161), Pat Cummins (1 for 62), Marnus Labuschagne (1 for 53) Australia Batting: 5 for 0 in 1 over Usman Khawaja (5 not out), David Warner (0 not out) Pakistan Playing XI: Babar Azam (captain), Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Iftikhar Ahmed, Noman Ali, Sajid Sajid Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah Australia Playing XI: Pat Cummins (captain), Usman Kawaja, David Warner, Marnus Laboschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameroon Green, Alex Cary (wicketkeeper), Mitchell Starc, Nathin Lyon, Josh Hazlewood Match officials: Aleem Dar and Ahsan Raza (on-field), Asif Yaqoob (third umpire), Rashid Riaz (fourth umpire), Ranjan Madugalle (match referee) Officials Scorers: Shakil Ahmed, Fazal-e-Azeem (field) Adnan Farooq(press gallery).  

Abdul Jabbar Faisal RAWALPINDI:-Left-handed open batter, Imam-ul-Haq played a composed innings of 132 runs that helped Green Shirts to end the day-1 game with full command against Australia at 245 for 1 in 90 overs at Pindi Cricket Stadium Rawalpindi on Friday. Skipper Babar Azam decided to bat first after winning the toss, as Pakistani batter show excellent batting skills against an experienced bowling attack. Imam hit 15 fours during in 271 balls innings was the most valuable contribution in the Pakistan’s total. Australian captain Pat Cummins used his eight bowler to break the partnership of the second wicket in which Imam and Azhar aggregated 140 runs. Pakistan will resume their first inning on Saturday morning at the same venue. Imam 132 and Azhar 64 were not out at the close of play day-1.   Summarized Score Card (day-1): Pakistan Batting: 145 for 1 in 90 overs Iman-ul-Haq 132 not out (271 balls, 4X15, 6X2), Azhar Ali 64 not out (165 balls, 4X4, 6X1)), Abdullah Shafiq 44 runs (105 balls, 4X3, 6X1) Australia Bowling: Natin Lyon (31-4-87-1) Pakistan Playing XI: Babar Azam (captain), Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Iftikhar Ahmed, Noman Ali, Sajid Sajid Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah Australia Playing XI: Pat Cummins (captain), Usman Kawaja, David Warner, Marnus Laboschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameroon Green, Alex Cary (wicketkeeper), Mitchell Starc, Nathin Lyon, Josh Hazlewood Match officials: Aleem Dar and Ahsan Raza (on-field), Asif Yaqoob (third umpire), Rashid Riaz (fourth umpire), Ranjan Madugalle (match referee) Day-1 First Session: (105 for 1 in 35 overs, Iman-ul-Haq 57 not out & Azhar Ali 0 not out) Second Session: (171 for 1 in 56 overs, Imam-ul-Hq 92 not out & Azhar Ali 30 not out) Third Session (245 for 1 in 90 overs, Imam-ul-Haq 132 not out, Azhar Ali 64 not out, Lyon 1 for 87).

Bipin Dani Former Windies opener Gordon Greenidge has advised Virat Kohli to take away his mind from his landmark Test (100th) and instead, focus more on every delivery that he would face against Sri Lankan bowlers in the first Mohali Test beginning on Friday.  Sir Gordon Greenidge is one among the nine players (Colin Cowdrey, Javed Miandad, Alec Stewart, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Graeme Smith, Hashim Amla, Joe Root and Ricky Ponting, Ponting has done so in both the innings) who have registered a hundred in their 100th Test match.  Wishing Kohli (through this Reporter over the telephone from Barbados) to score a hundred in his 100th Test match, he said, "I would like to offer my best wishes to Virat on this special moment and most excellent opportunity for this great game. Getting to that special moment should be no more than the other centuries in the past". "My advice to you is just bat and it will come. Just focus on staying in the middle and that special moment will come. I am confident you can do this. Should your dream challenge your mind just take a moment after every ball and refocus on the next delivery. Best of luck to you". Sri Lanka's former captain Arjuna Ranatunga has also wished Kohli for this historic Test and at the same time has recommended Sri Lankan bowlers to be more committed rather than spoiling Kohli's party. "Kohli is a phenomenal player. He has lot to offer. My advice to the bowlers is to concentrate more on line and length, the wickets would come", he said.

Abdul Jabbar Faisal RAWALPINDI:-The stage is ready to start Pindi Test match between Pakistan and Australia on Friday morning, as all the tickets have been sold out of Test match that shows how the people of twin city Rawalpindi and Islamabad are keen to see two top teams of cricket world in action. Right-handed batter Babar Azam will lead the Green Shirts in the historical Test match while Pat Cummins will lead the Kangaroos at the soil of Pakistan after 24 years in the first Test of the three-match Benaud-Qadir ICC World Test Championship series. Both sides have kept a close eye on the Rawalpindi pitch which has a tradition of being a sporting one, the last Test played at the venue was Pakistan’s 95-run triumph against South Africa almost a year ago. Since the return of Test cricket in Pakistan in December 2019, this will be the fourth Test at the venue. The 2020 Pakistan-Sri Lanka match ended in a draw. Babar Azam says: “It is a huge honour to play this series since the trophy has been named after legends of the game Richie Benaud and Abdul Qadir. As a team we are very excited that Australia are touring after 24 years, we want to make this a memorable series and the entire squad remains focused and determined to deliver the goods. “Our fans have been a great strength of ours in the recent past, they have come to cheer us, shown their love and support through social media and have backed us by watching us on their TV screens. My request would be for them to turn up at the venue and give us full backing and support. Pat Cummins says:  “Richie toured here for the first time some 60 years ago, we are proud to be here in Pakistan and can’t wait for the series to start. “This is a very special occasion as we have a long history of playing against Pakistan back home and never over here, a whole generation of Australian cricketers haven’t had the chance of being over here and play so as a group we feel very privileged and lucky to be here, we have been incredibly looked after and it is beautiful here, we can’t wait for the series to start.” Weather Forecast: A spokesman for Pakistan Metrology Department (PMD) told this scribe that first two day of the Test match would not be disturbed by the rain; however, weather will be cloudy. Next two days (March 6 and 7), there are chances of rain in different spells in the twin cities Rawalpindi and Islamabad that could interrupt the cricket game. On March 6 there will be 60% chances while on March 7 there will be 65% rain probability. March 8 will be sunny day and no rain in Rawalpindi. Pakistan Test Squad: Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan (vice-captain-wicketkeeper), Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Wasim Junior, Naseem Shah, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, and Zahid Mahmood. Australia Test Squad: Pat Cummins (captain), David Warner, Marcus Harris, Steven Smith, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Cameron Green, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Josh Inglis, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood, Scott Boland, Mark Steketee, Mitchell Swepson. Match officials: Aleem Dar and Ahsan Raza (on-field), Asif Yaqoob (third umpire), Rashid Riaz (fourth umpire), Ranjan Madugalle (match referee)