Headline: Celebrating Babar Azam’s 50th Test Match: Special Honors and Debut Appearances
The former captain was also presented with a keepsake to commemorate this significant milestone in his career.
The long-awaited Test series between Pakistan and Australia has started, and what adds to the excitement is that this marks the 50th Test match for the former captain, Babar Azam.
To make the day special for the 29-year-old batter, the Pakistan Cricket Board has decided to celebrate the occasion ahead of the first Test match today.
The skilled cricketer will be playing his 50th match for Pakistan in the longest format of the game.
Before the game began, Captain Shan Masood joyfully presented his predecessor with a special souvenir cap to mark this significant moment in his career.
The former captain was also presented with a keepsake to commemorate this significant milestone in his professional life.
The right-handed batsman has achieved 3,772 runs in Test cricket, maintaining an average of 47.74. Additionally, he has recorded nine centuries and 26 half-centuries in his career.
In the earlier phase, Australia won the toss and chose to bat in the first Test against Pakistan.
Pacers Aamir Jamal and Khurram Shahzad are making their Test debut for Pakistan.
Australia made only one change to the team that played in the recent Ashes finale at The Oval in August. The fit-again Nathan Lyon replaced Todd Murphy.
Lineups
Australia
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
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
Series schedule
First Test: December 14-18, Perth
Second Test: December 26-30, Melbourne
Third Test: January 3-7, Sydney
