The much-awaited Test series between Pakistan and Australia has begun, but what is more exciting is the fact that this is the 50th Test match to be played by former captain Babar Azam.
To celebrate the occasion ahead of the first Test match today, the Pakistan Cricket Board decided to make it special for the 29-year-old batter.
The talented cricketer will be making his 50th appearance for Pakistan in the longest format of the game.
Before the game could start, captain Shan Masood delightfully handed over a special souvenir cap to his predecessor for this landmark moment in his career.
The ex-captain was also given a memento marking this major milestone in his professional life.
The right-hander has scored 3,772 runs in Test cricket, so far, at an average of 47.74. He also has nine hundreds and 26 fifties against his name.
Earlier, Australia won the toss and decided to bat in the first Test against Pakistan.
Pacers Aamir Jamal and Khurram Shahzad are making their Test debut for Pakistan.
Australia made just one change to the most recent side that took the field in the Ashes finale in August at The Oval, with the fit-again Nathan Lyon replacing Todd Murphy.
Australia: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
Pakistan: Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Aamer Jamal, Khurram Shahzad
First Test: December 14-18, Perth
Second Test: December 26-30, Melbourne
Third Test: January 3-7, Sydney
"No father hands over his daughter’s life to someone without careful thought," says former Pakistan captain
Usman Khawaja scores winning run what was shortest Test between both sides
"We are making all-out efforts to get something better for Pakistan, international cricket," says PCB chief
Int'l cricketing body is part of talks between Pakistan, India to finalise tournament's schedule
"Breakthrough likely in 48 hours" as ICC board set to meet on December 7
Rauf was pivotal in Pakistan’s historic ODI series win in Australia — their first in 22 years
