Pakistan Cricket Team skipper Babar Azam on Thursday said that Australia touring Pakistan after 24 years is a moment for Pakistan team and the contest promises ultimate quality and toughness, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Babar Azam and Pat Cummings were addressing the virtual press conference on Thursday ahead of their first cricket Test match being played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from Friday. 

Baba Azam said that Pindi Cricket Stadium does help fast bowlers but spinners also play an important role and pitch for the Rawalpindi Test will equally help both — pacers and spinners.

Babar said that Pakistan team will take benefit of the home conditions while vying for the best result in the series. “We will make the final decision about the team after reaching in the field,” he added.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niSZQXnuyhU 

Babar admitted that team will face difficulties in the absence of Hassan Ali and Faheem Ashraf. He said Naseem Shah, Azhar Ali, Rizwan and Fawad are in their forms. 

“Team Australia is not an easy target,” Babar commented.

Australia Test Cricket Team skipper Pat Cummins said, "All tickets of the Rawalpindi Test sold out is an exciting talk. It feels exciting to play Test cricket in front of a jam-packed stadium. We're not feeling different while staying in Islamabad in comparison to other places. We're all enjoying our time in Pakistan."

He said that a generation of Australians has not visited Pakistan so I feel proud of being part of a squad touring Pakistan after 24 years. “Pakistan is a cricket-loving nation. The Pakistan tour will be memorable in our career. Looking forward to touring Pakistan in future too.”

https://twitter.com/TheRealPCBMedia/status/1498919213691551744 

Commenting on the pitch, Cummins said, "Pindi Cricket Stadium usually favours pacers but pitch for Rawalpindi Test is not typical quick and bouncy. Rawalpindi has different conditions. Pitch for Rawalpindi Test is not similar to other subcontinent pitches where the ball starts spinning from day one.”

Revealing the Test squad, Cummings said, "The final eleven of Australia for Rawalpindi Test is likely to be based upon three fast bowlers and two spinners. There is no grass on the pitch for Rawalpindi Test but the pitch looks good. I won't claim Australia as favorites but our squad is strong.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SmEx2UCb88 

Rain clean-bowls practice session

The training sessions of Australia and Pakistan at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium have been cancelled due to rain in twin cities—Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

Both teams will play their first match on Friday at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Fans are already excited for the much-hyped ‘historic’ test series.

The Pakistan Cricket Board and Cricket Australia announced the introduction of the Benaud-Qadir Trophy. 

This will be a perpetual Trophy and will be presented at the end of each men’s Test series played between the Pakistan and Australia cricket teams.

Richie Benaud and Abdul Qadir were two skilful, distinguished and immensely respected cricketers of different eras, who served the game with honour, pride and distinction.

Pertinent to note that Pindi Cricket Stadium could roughly accommodate 19000 plus crowd however, the authorities have placed temporary chairs in enclosures ensuring distance.