Daily Times

Pakistan wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan has staked his claim for a Boxing Day Test recall after impressing in a two-day practice match against Victoria. Rizwan hit a free-flowing 50 from 70 balls before retiring during day one of the hit-out, held behind closed doors at Junction Oval in St Kilda on Friday.

Saud Shakeel, who has enjoyed a consistent start to his Test career and showed fight against Australia in Perth last week, top-scored with 70 retired in Pakistan’s 323 after the tourists decided to bat first. Rizwan was surprisingly overlooked for the first Test, with Pakistan opting for veteran Sarfaraz Ahmed behind the stumps. But Ahmed struggled badly with the bat in the series-opener and wasn’t outstanding with the gloves, either. Pakistan will have to make at least one change for the second Test at the MCG after fast bowler Khurram Shahzad was on Thursday ruled out for the remainder of the Benaud-Qadir series. After finishing with match figures of 5-128 on Test debut, Shahzad pulled up sore and was sent for scans, with results revealing a stress fracture in his 10th rib, as well as an abdominal muscle tear.

Captain Shan Masood and star batter Babar Azam have chosen not to play the practice match as Pakistan try to bounce back from their 360-run defeat to Australia at Optus Stadium. Pakistan requested another match ahead of the Boxing Day Test after being unhappy their game against the Prime Minister’s XI ended early. AAP understands the tourists were happy for spectators and media to be inside the ground, but there were problems finding available staff to cater the Cricket Victoria facility at such short notice. Victoria had to face 11 overs before stumps, with the hosts finding their way to 1-47. Will Pucovski opened the batting, but was out for four in his first match against an international opponent since his Test debut in January 2021 against India. Star Pakistan quick Shaheen Afridi bowled Pucovski in the first over.