Pakistan skipper Shan Masood congratulated former captain Babar Azam as he marks his 50th Test match in the ongoing series against Australia at Perth's Optus Stadium on December 14.
Shaheen Afridi was appointed as the vice-captain for the Test series. It's worth noting that Pakistan have never won a Test series against Australia, and their last Test win on Australian soil dates back to 1995.
Before the match, Masood said that the sample size of the ground at the Optus Stadium is small and only three Test matches have been played here. However, it has proven beneficial for teams batting first. Australia won the toss and opted to bat first in Perth.
"We wanted to have a bat first as well. This ground's sample size is very small. Only 3 Test matches have been played here, and the batting first team has had success. So we wanted to bat first. You have to put the toss aside and put in a good bowling performance. We've had some ideal preparation and some match practice," said Masood.
He congratulated Babar for playing his 50th Test match for Pakistan. The 29-year-old has accumulated 3772 runs in 49 Tests with an average of 47.75. During this time, he has recorded nine centuries and 26 fifties.
"The guys are pretty excited. We want to play more Test cricket, it's pinnacle. Like guys desire to play 100 Test matches. Babar Azam is playing his 50th Test. So congratulations to him, and all the best," Masood added.
Masood said that Pakistan boast world-class players in their lineup and confirmed the debut of Aamir Jamal and Khurram Shahzad.
"We have some world-class players in the side. Two debutants. Aamir Jamal and Khurram Shahzad. Both have been brilliant in the domestic set-up. Today, the opportunity comes up with Shaheen leading the pace attack," said Masood.
Australia starting XI
David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (C), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
Pakistan starting XI
Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood (C), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Aamer Jamal, Khurram Shahzad
(Powered by AI, Inputs by India Today)
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