Cricket

Pakistan, Australia teams arrive in Karachi for second Test

By our correspondent
KARACHI: Pakistan and Australia cricket teams on Wednesday landed here to face each other in the second Test of the three Test-match series which will begin at the National Stadium from Saturday.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have confirmed that both teams have reached their Karachi team hotel.
Earlier, according to sources both teams had to wait at the airport for security clearance because of the VIP movement of the prime minister Imran Khan who spent a busy day here on Wednesday due to his political engagement.
Because of this issue the PCB also postponed the virtual news conference of the batting coach Mohammad Yousuf which was scheduled at 5:30pm.
Tight security arrangements have been made around the hotel where the teams are staying.
The wicket has been prepared for the second Test which has now gained a lot of significance after the first Test at the Pindi Cricket Stadium was ended in a tame draw on the batting-friendly track which also invited immense criticism from the cricket experts.
Only 14 wickets fell during the five-day engagement which was also hit at some stages by the the inclement weather.
This will be after long 24 years when both sides will face each other here at the National Stadium. From October 15-19 in 1998 both sides had met here last time in the Test which ended in a draw.
Australia had scored 280 and 290 while Pakistan had made 252 and 262-5.
On the tour three matches had been played and Australia had sealed the series 1-0 after winning the first Test at Rawalpindi by an innings and 99 runs. Peshawar Test had also ended in a draw.
National Stadium has been lucky for the hosts as here so far eight Tests have been played between the two nations and of them Pakistan have won five while three remained draw.
After a dour proceedings at the Pindi Stadium due to lifeless track it will be interesting to see how National Stadium wicket will behave. Naturally it will help the spinners.