In preparation for the upcoming Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) from December 26 to 30, Pakistan will play a two-day practice match against Victoria XI. This fixture is scheduled to take place on December 22-23 at Junction Oval, St. Kilda.
The Victoria XI team for this practice game will predominantly consist of local players who do not currently hold KFC BBL deals. The team will be led by Peter Handscomb, and it will boast the participation of two former Test batters, namely Marcus Harris and Will Pucovski.
This additional fixture aims to provide the Pakistani squad with valuable preparation and acclimatization ahead of the second Test.
Victoria XI: Peter Handscomb (c/wk), Marcus Harris, Dylan Brasher, Will Pucovski, Blake Thomson, Harry Dixon, Sam Elliott, Xavier Crone, Doug Warren, Cam McClure, Wil Parker, Matt Fotia
Pakistan squad: Shan Masood (c), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi
Australia tour schedule:
- 1st Test – Australia vs Pakistan – December 14-18: Perth Stadium
- 2nd Test – Australia vs Pakistan – December 26-30: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
- 3rd Test – Australia vs Pakistan – January 3-7: Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG)
