The Pakistan cricket team has started their training camp at Pindi Cricket Stadium for the upcoming three-match Test series against Australia, scheduled to commence on December 14, 2023.
During the initial day of training, some noteworthy moments took place at Pindi Cricket Stadium. In particular, during slip-catching drills, Babar Azam added a touch of humor to the session by playfully giving Saud Shakeel the nickname ‘Chota Don’ (Little Don) after he skillfully caught a ball.
This amusing character name was inspired by the comedic character ‘Chota Don’ played by Rajpal Yadav in the Indian film ‘Partner.’ The term ‘Chota’ humorously refers to the character’s diminutive stature. These lighthearted moments during training contribute to team camaraderie and create a positive atmosphere as the players prepare for the upcoming Test series against Australia.
While engaging in light-hearted banter, Babar Azam joined warm-up activities, including a brisk jog around the ground with Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan.
Despite recently stepping down from captaincy, the star batter showcased a dedicated approach, focusing on refining his batting skills during the net practice session.
The announced Pakistan squad for the upcoming Tests against Australia includes players like Shan Masood, Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
The schedule for the Australia tour includes a four-day match between PM’s XI and Pakistan at Manuka Oval, Canberra, from December 6-9. The Test matches will take place on December 14-18 at Perth Stadium, December 26-30 at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), and January 3-7 at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).