Canberra weather gatecrashes Pakistan's Test preparation party

In an unexpected turn of events, Pakistan found their preparation for the upcoming Test series against Australia cut short by an unexpected weather incident in Canberra.

A fierce electrical storm, accompanied by 55kph winds, wreaked havoc on Friday evening, tearing off the covers from the surface and letting heavy rain pour down. The aftermath led to a safety inspection on Saturday morning, ultimately resulting in the game's cancellation against the Prime Minister's XI, concluding it in a draw.

The disruption left the Pakistani top-order batters with limited time in the middle before the crucial Test in Perth. Despite this setback, the team found consolation in the promising form displayed by new captain Shan Masood and star player Babar Azam during their time in Canberra.

Looking ahead, Pakistan's bowling lineup is set to undergo significant changes, with Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali, and Mohammad Wasim expected to be named in the eleven after a period of rest. In the spin department, the team may turn to 37-year-old Noman Ali, following an injury to legspinner Abrar Ahmed in the same game against PM XI.

Australia's first Test side seems to be taking shape with discussions centring around the opener, David Warner's replacement post his retirement after the Pakistan series. The recent abandonment of the game in Canberra denied Matt Renshaw the opportunity to further impress selectors after his unbeaten 136. At the same time, contenders Cameron Bancroft, Marcus Harris, and Cameron Green couldn't convert their starts into significant scores. 

Reflecting on Renshaw's innings, PM's XI captain Nathan McSweeney praised his patience, describing it as a "pure Test innings." However, he expressed relief at not having to decide on Warner's successor, acknowledging the tough choices ahead for selectors.

"It was easy to get frustrated out there with some shots you thought should go for four and you're getting two for it, so the mental strength for him to face as many balls as he did was impressive," McSweeney was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

"That puts him in good stead I guess, along with the other guys, they've all batted well, so good luck to the selectors.

"They all have been [ready for Tests] for a while, they're all quality players who continue to churn out runs in Shield cricket, I don't think there's a bad decision to be made."

The first match between Pakistan and Australia is all set to be played on December 14 at the Perth Stadium in Perth. Aussies would be looking to maintain their dominance, while the Pakistani team, led by their newly appointed captain, would be eager to turn the tide this time and create history.