Mohammad Rizwan Takes Over Wicket-Keeping Duties for Pakistan in Second Test
Pakistan cricket team.Â
Sarfaraz Ahmed is taking a break, and Mohammad Rizwan is stepping in to replace him.
In the upcoming second Test against Australia, Pakistan has chosen Mohammad Rizwan to be the wicketkeeper instead of Sarfaraz Ahmed. The cricket body revealed the 12-man playing XI on Monday.
The Boxing Day Test, lasting five days, will start on December 26 (Tuesday) at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The Pakistan Cricket Board, however, mentioned that they will announce the final playing eleven tomorrow.
Pakistan announce 12-man squad for second Test đ
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 25, 2023
The final XI will be named tomorrow.#AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/hZsky4cPcN
Test captain Shan Masood, in a press conference, praised Sarfaraz for making a fantastic comeback after four years.
The captain explained, “Rizwan has been performing well in these conditions, and based on that, he was chosen for the playing XI.”
The 34-year-old captain mentioned that using the word “dropping” isn’t suitable for Sarfaraz because he’s taking a break. He also added that Sarfaraz will have an opportunity to play when the conditions are in his favor.
Masood stated that the team, known as the Green Shirts, needs to enhance their batting performance. He added that the batters will need to play a bit faster, especially since the team is playing for 100 overs.
The captain mentioned, “Test cricket is challenging for fast bowlers.”
At the same time, Australia decided to keep the same playing eleven for the Boxing Day Test.
Pakistan Team Players
Shan Masood (c), Shaheen Shah Afridi (vc), Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Muhammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Hasan Ali, Mir Hamza, Aamir Jamal, Sajid Khan
Australia Team Player
David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
