A second group of players from the Pakistan cricket team has departed from Karachi to Melbourne, Australia, via Emirates Airlines. They are scheduled to arrive in Melbourne tomorrow.
This group includes captain Mohammad Rizwan, vice-captain Salman Ali Agha, Abdullah Shafique, Aamer Jamal, Saeem Ayub, Kamran Ghulam, Hasibullah, and Ifrat Munhas. The first group of the Pakistani team has already arrived in Australia and is busy with preparations.
Pakistan’s first match against Australia is set for November 4.
Rizwan Discusses Leadership and Strategy Before Australia Tour
In an earlier statement, captain Mohammad Rizwan expressed that he never sought captaincy nor desired it. He stated that if Allah grants the opportunity, one should not refuse it. Speaking to the media in Karachi before departing for Australia, Rizwan emphasized that his opinions were valued even when he was not captain. He consistently contributed insights during Sarfaraz Ahmed’s captaincy and believes that every player in the team should be a potential leader. Rizwan hopes to nurture multiple captains within the team.
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He acknowledged that Aqib Javed’s decisions have proven beneficial for the team. While it was suggested that creating spin-friendly pitches could lead to success in home series, he noted that Australian pitches are beyond Aqib Javed’s control, and the conditions there are different and challenging. “We have put in tremendous effort and hope for positive outcomes,” he remarked.
Rizwan also highlighted the impact of Fakhar Zaman, stating that he is a game-changing player. However, he acknowledged that the final decisions rest with the management and board. He is ready to provide his input if sought but clarified that immediate changes upon his captaincy are not expected; improvements were already underway.
Regarding the T20 format, Rizwan indicated that they will decide on opening partnerships based on the current player performance, aiming to establish the best combination for the upcoming Champions Trophy.
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He added, “When we visited India, we received immense love, and everyone witnessed that. The public will also warmly welcome the Indian team in Pakistan.” Whether the Indian team participates in the Champions Trophy remains at the discretion of the board, he concluded.
