• Babar Azam prepares for Australia series.
• Pakistan team assembles for training camp.
• Haris Rauf withdraws due to fitness concerns.

As the Pakistan cricket team braces itself for a challenging three-match Test series against Australia, former captain Babar Azam has hit the nets in earnest preparation. The 29-year-old right-handed batter, who recently stepped down from captaincy across all formats, aims to make a strong comeback after Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the ICC World Cup 2023.

Babar, known for his stylish strokeplay, was seen practicing with the red ball in the nets, emphasizing his commitment to preparing for the upcoming series on the demanding Australian tracks. The video footage showed him showcasing his favorite “cover drive,” a shot he has perfected over the years.

Despite relinquishing the captaincy, Babar Azam secured his spot in the 18-man squad announced by the newly-appointed chief selector, Wahab Riaz. The squad, led by Shan Masood, also includes notable players such as Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi.

Shan Masood will captain the team during the series, with the first Test scheduled to commence on December 14 at Perth Stadium. The subsequent Tests will be held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26-30 and the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3-7.

The selected squad is set to assemble in Rawalpindi on November 22 for an intensive training camp at the Pindi Cricket Stadium, running until November 28. The team is scheduled to depart for Australia on November 30 from Lahore.

In addition to the squad, several additional players have been invited to participate in the training camp, including Arshad Iqbal, Kashif Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usama Mir, and Usman Qadir.

However, the team faced a setback as pacer Haris Rauf declined to travel to Australia, citing fitness concerns. Despite assurances from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) about managing his workload, Rauf stood firm on his decision.

The cricketing fraternity eagerly awaits the showdown between Pakistan and Australia, with Babar Azam’s return to form and the leadership of Shan Masood adding intrigue to the highly anticipated Test series Down Under.

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