Australia Eye Strong Finish to a Perfect Year

The Pakistan team arrived in Melbourne on Christmas morning, bearing gifts for the Australian players and their families. This act of kindness showcased the close bond that has formed between the two teams since Pat Cummins and his squad visited Pakistan. The camaraderie between the Australians and Pakistanis was evident during their last encounter in Lahore, where they spent over an hour chatting away in the dressing room after a hard-fought Test match.

However, while the off-field relationship continues to grow stronger, the on-field performances between the two teams tell a different story, especially in the Test format. Over the past 18 months, a significant gulf has seemed to develop between them, contrasting their previous close matches in the subcontinent.

The Australian team has had a remarkable year, which Cummins described as the "highlight" of his career. They achieved victories in India, secured the World Test Championships trophy, retained the Ashes away from home, and even won the 50-over World Cup against all odds in India. It has been a busy and successful year for them.

On the other hand, Pakistan has played significantly fewer Test matches and is undergoing a period of transformation after a disappointing World Cup campaign. Their year has been relatively low on highlights. As they continue to reinvent themselves, they are still searching for the freedom to play with the same confidence as their opponents.

In their current tour, Pakistan has taken some unconventional approaches to achieve their desired level of performance. They opted for a last-minute two-day warm-up game instead of multiple practice sessions at the MCG. They have also intentionally limited media interaction since the Perth Test and even conducted their final practice session indoors due to the rain.

Captain Shan Masood has emphasized sticking to their "Pakistan Way" and aims to narrow the performance gap with Australia. He acknowledged that the scoring rate difference was a significant factor in their massive loss in Perth. Overcoming the relentless Australian bowling attack and finding a suitable bowling strategy will be crucial for Pakistan.

For a competitive performance at the MCG, Pakistan's key players, such as Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi, need to bring out their best versions on one of cricket's grandest stages.

Match Details

When: December 26-30, 2023, 10:30 hrs Local Time, 05:00 hrs IST

Where: MCG, Melbourne

Weather and Pitch

Melbourne has experienced continuous rainfall in the past two days, and the forecast for the opening two days of the Test match is not promising. However, the hope is that the worst of the showers occurred on Christmas eve and day, and the weather will clear up for the Test match. Rain delays or interruptions are expected on Boxing Day and Day 2. The pitch, though not as green as in recent years, still offers enough for the Australian fast bowlers. Pakistani batsmen might find scoring runs easier compared to the Perth Test. A Test match going into Day 5 has been rare at the MCG, but the weather forecast suggests it might happen this time.

Australia Team

Following his match-winning 164 in the previous Test, David Warner faced no scrutiny and had a lengthy hit two days before the Test. The playing XI remains unchanged from the last match in Perth.

Playing XI: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

Pakistan Team

With disappointing performances, Pakistan faces further challenges. Khurram Shahzad has returned home after an impressive debut, and Noman Ali had to leave due to acute appendicitis. Abrar Ahmed remains unavailable, opening the possibility of Sajid Khan's recall. Mohammad Rizwan will replace Sarfaraz Ahmed as the wicket-keeper, and Faheem Ashraf is excluded from the 12-man squad. The final lineup decision for Pakistan involves selecting either Sajid Khan as the specialist spinner, choosing between Hasan Ali and Mir Hamza, or playing both fast bowlers and including Agha Salman as the lone spin option.

Probable XI: Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Muhammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Hasan Ali, Aamer Jamal, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mir Hamza/Sajid Khan