AUS vs PAK: Shan Masood congratulates Babar Azam on reaching special milestone

Babar Azam. (Photo Source: ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images)

The first Test of a three-match series between Australia and Pakistan got underway on Thursday, December 14, in Perth. The ‘Men in Green’ will look to improve their record in Australia as they have never won a Test series Down Under, and their last win on Australian soil came in 1995.

Pakistan’s new red-ball captain Shan Masood said that the sample size of Test matches at the Optus Stadium in Perth isn’t huge but it has helped teams batting first. However, the toss was won by Pat Cummins and he had no hesitation in opting to bat first.

“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 ahead of the match.

Meanwhile, former Pakistan captain Babar Azam, who made his Test debut in 2016 against the West Indies, is playing his 50th game in the format. Shan Masood congratulated Babar on his special achievement. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) posted a video on its social media handles where Masood was seen presenting the talismanic right-handed batter with a special souvenir and cap.

“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 said ahead of the match.

Babar has had a stellar Test career thus far, having scored 3,772 runs in 88 innings at an average of 47.75. He has also notched up 26 half-centuries and nine centuries in the purest format of the game.

Masood said that his team has some world-class players and also confirmed the debuts of right-arm pacers Aamer Jamal and Khurram Shahzad.

“We have some world-class players in the side. Two debutants. Aamer 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.