The Boxing Day is here, and so does the Boxing Day test match in the lands of Kangaroos. With the world engaged in opening the Christmas presents, two powerhouses of the world cricket will take on each for the historic Boxing Day Test match. Australia and Pakistan will lock their horns for the second match of the series on December 26, 2016, at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne.
Where to Watch
Star Sports 2
Timing
5:00 Am
Australia Team Preview
Steven Smith lead side is leading the test series by 1-0 and will be looking to seal the series when they take on Pakistan for the epic Boxing Day Test match.
Australians won the first test match, but even they knew that they were biting their nails when Pakistan was on the blink of chasing the score in the fourth inning on the back of Asad Shafiq brilliant century.
However, a win means the win, but Captain Smith will be looking to deliver some solid performance. The key factor for Australia are the duo of Warner and Smith, and they need to score big daddy hundred especially knowing the fact about their inexperienced middle order.
Despite the inexperienced middle order, Australia has solid player in the form of Khawaja and young Peter Handscomb, who notched up his maiden Test match century in the last match.
Meanwhile, the dynamic left-hander Nic Maddinson retained for this test match despite being the poor outing in his last three Test matches. Wade has to come up with some contribution down the order like he is doing in the year and so.
The bowling unit of this team has been brilliant with the pace trio of Starc, Hazelwood and Bird picking up the wickets at the regular interval. Lyon has been impressive with his line and length and managed to hold the run rate at another corner.
Steven Smith and his troops are determined to clear the misery of their team, and a series in this match will be a confidence booster before leaving for the big Australian tour.
Australia Squad
Matt Renshaw, David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steven Smith(c), Peter Handscomb, Nic Maddinson, Matthew Wade(w), Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, Jackson Bird, Chadd Sayers.
Pakistan Team Preview
Pakistan team has performed well as compared to their horrible past Australian tours. However, Misbah Ul Haq troops started poorly with conceiving 400+ runs in the first innings and then, squaring up under just 136 runs.
But they bounced back in the fourth inning as while chasing down the target of 450+; Asad Shafiq took his team to the close to victory, but unfortunately, they lost the match.
Captain Misbah and his team will enter this match with the single motive of winning the test match and leveling the series. The key batter for the team is Azar Ali, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq and Asad Shafiq.
The bowling of this team will be lead by young bowling sensation, Mohammad Amir and he will be looking to find the support from the Wahab Riaz. Amran Khan will replace Rahat Ali in this match, and Yasir Shah will spin the red cherry for the team.
An aggressive brand of Cricket is what Pakistan needs to bounce back in the series.
Pakistan Squad
Sami Aslam, Azhar Ali, Babar Azam, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq(c), Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed(w), Wahab Riaz, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Amir, Rahat Ali, Sharjeel Khan, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Nawaz, Sohail Khan, Imran Khan, Mohammad Asghar
Prediction
Australia has the edge over Pakistan, but Pakistan will come hard at Australia. The match is expected to go in favor of Australia. t
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