SYDNEY: In an unexpected incident, Pakistani cricketers were seen loading their luggage onto a container truck outside the Sydney airport and the national team arrived in Australia for a Test series.
Cricket fans were left stunned after a video clip featuring the Green Shirts themselves loading their luggage onto the truck surfaced on social media platforms.
As per the details, the national cricket team touched down in Australia for a three-match Test series, part of ICC World Test Championship.
The 18-man squad and 17-member management contention announced by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) left for Australia on Thursday at 3am via Lahore airport from where they travelled to Dubai.
After a brief stay in Dubai, where players rested for a short time, their flight left for Sydney and reached its destination on Friday morning at 7am (PST).
However, unexpected scenes were witnessed as the members of the Pakistan squad loaded their luggage themselves onto a truck at the Sydney airport. As per the details, the players transferred their own luggage to save time.
The squad will completely rest on Saturday after a flight of more than 24 hours. They will start training on December 3.
It must be noted Pakistan last won a Test match on the shores of Australia back in 1995. They will be playing under new captain Shan Masood, who was appointed after Babar Azam stepped down from leadership across formats.
Meanwhile, Australia have not announced the squad for the Test matches. Many players including Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne. and Cameron Green are participating in Sheffield Shield matches to prepare for the Pakistan challenge.
Pakistan squad for Australia Tests
Shan Masood (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Shah Afridi
Australia tour schedule:
Four-day match: PM’s XI vs Pakistan – December 6-9: Manuka Oval, Canberra
1st Test – Australia vs Pakistan – December 14-18: Perth Stadium
2nd Test – Australia vs Pakistan – December 26-30: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG)
3rd Test – Australia vs Pakistan – January 3-7: Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG)