MELBOURNE, 23 December 2023: This years Boxing Day Test (26 December onwards) between Australia and Pakistan is likely to be spectacular, with a mix of cricket, culture and entertainment.
Banners announcing the match and other signboards are up inside the MCG. The wait is now for 26 December when the cricket fans make a bee line for the iconic stadium.
At the Boxing Day Test, Cricket Australia and the Shane Warne Legacy have partnered to offer free heart tests around the MCG as part of a tribute to the Victorian and Australian cricket legend.
An experience at the iconic MCG is not just cricket, is a known fact. To infuse vibrancy there will be a Pakistan Fan Zone outside Gate 4 for three days. With around 70,000 cricket fans expected at the stadium, the sporting action laced with cultural ambience is what Cricket Australia envisages as making cricket more inclusive.
Notably, traditional Char Pai’s (woven beds) will be there for fans to relax and savour the game in a traditional setting outside the MCG. A fan-walk on the first day of the Test is also scheduled, providing an opportunity for passionate Pakistan supporters to showcase their unwavering devotion to the visiting side.
A special tape ball cricket match is on the agenda, injecting an element of traditional street cricket into the festive atmosphere. Catering to diverse culinary preferences, the fan zone will feature a Halal Desi food truck, ensuring a delightful array of flavours for attendees.
Throughout the three-day activation, attendees can immerse themselves in participation zones designed to enhance their overall match-day experience. The entertainment lineup peaks with a live performance by the talented Faisal Amlani on the morning of Day 1, just before the first ball is bowled.
For those desiring a more laid-back viewing experience, ‘The Outfield’ provides a designated area equipped with deck chairs, bean bags, and picnic rugs. This space caters to fans seeking relief from the sun or those who prefer to stay close to the action outside the stadium.
The NRMA Insurance West Test (Test 1) linear TV ratings were up 22% on last year’s opening Test across Foxtel and the Seven Network, with streaming audiences across Foxtel Group up 43%. The Seven Network’s coverage of the West Test reached 5.97 million Australians nationally.
The total match attendance of 59,125 was the largest for a Test Match in Perth against Pakistan. This was 40% greater than the previous record, with this year’s crowd peaking at 17,666 on day two.
Australia squad for Boxing Day Test: Pat Cummins (Captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Steve Smith, Mitch Starc, David Warner. (cricket.com.au)
Pakistan squad: 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. (cricket.com.au)
NRMA Insurance Boxing Day Test – Australia vs Pakistan
Public gates open:
9:00am Day 1 & 2, 9.30am Day 3, 4 & 5.
Toss: 10.00am
Start time: 10:30am
Lunch: 12:30pm
Second session: 1:10pm
Tea: 3:10pm
Third session: 3:30pm
Close of play: 5:30pm
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