AUS vs PAK 2nd Test: Australia edge ahead of Pakistan on rain-hit Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test

Australia has gained the upper hand over Pakistan at the end of Day 1 of the AUS vs PAK 2nd Test. The first day of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) saw Pakistan skipper Shan Masood choose to bowl first.

However, things didn’t go as planned for Pakistan. After dropping David Warner in the third over, they struggled in the first session until Agha Salman claimed the wicket in the 28th over to get them their first break.

The second session went well for the visitors until rain spoiled the fun. After nearly a two-hour halt, the sides return to play the final session of the day. Although Steve Smith was sent back to the hut by Mir Hamza, Australia ended the day with seven wickets in hand.

With overcast conditions prevailing and a surface boasting a modest six-seven millimeters of grass, Masood led a revamped Pakistan attack, aiming to make early breakthroughs.

Expecting lateral movement from the pitch, Shan Masood expressed confidence in his team’s ability to capitalize on the challenging conditions. In contrast, Australia’s captain, Pat Cummins, mentioned that he would have opted to bowl first had he won the toss.

Shan Masood calls correctly and OUR Aussie men will be batting first on Boxing Day! #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/tkz8hSi1gH

— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) December 25, 2023

AUS vs PAK 2nd Test: Pakistan make changes

Pakistan, facing a 360-run defeat in the first Test, made strategic changes, leaving out off spinner Sajid Khan in favor of an all-out pace attack. Hasan Ali and left-armer Mir Hamza joined the lineup, supporting the formidable duo of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Aamer Jamal. Mohammad Rizwan returned as the wicketkeeper, replacing Sarfaraz Ahmed, who played in the previous match.

Seamer Khurram Shahzad, who showcased an energetic debut performance in the first Test, has been ruled out of the tour due to a rib fracture. Additionally, allrounder Faheem Ashraf was dropped from the squad.

Australia, maintaining a full-strength lineup, made no changes, leaving no room for seamer Scott Boland, despite his impressive Test record at the MCG with an average of 13.80.

Heavy rain has persisted in Melbourne over the past 48 hours, with more showers and potential thunderstorms forecasted for the afternoon on day one. However, the weather is expected to improve as the match progresses.

Despite the uncertain weather conditions, a substantial crowd of 70,000 fans is anticipated at the MCG for the Boxing Day Test, marking one of the highlight events in the Australian cricket summer.

Team Lineups:

Australia:

1. David Warner
2. Usman Khawaja
3. Marnus Labuschagne
4. Steven Smith
5. Travis Head
6. Mitchell Marsh
7. Alex Carey (wk)
8. Mitchell Starc
9. Pat Cummins (capt)
10. Nathan Lyon
11. Josh Hazlewood

Pakistan:

1. Abdullah Shafique
2. Imam-ul-Haq
3. Shan Masood (capt)
4. Babar Azam
5. Saud Shakeel
6. Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
7. Agha Salman
8. Hasan Ali
9. Aamer Jamal
10. Shaheen Shah Afridi
11. Mir Hamza