Pakistan’s left-handed opening batter, Imam-ul-Haq, began his wedding festivities with an energetic Qawwali night in Lahore on November 23. The event was attended by several famous personalities, including two of Pakistan’s former captains, Babar Azam and Sarfaraz Ahmed. The video of Sarfaraz enjoying the music went viral on social media. Imam’s Nikah ceremony to Anmol Mehmood is set to take place on November 25, while the Valima reception date is November 26.
Other cricketing stars such as Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, and others from the national team are anticipated to grace the joyous occasion. Invitations will also extend to former players and management personnel. The camp for the Pakistan Test tour to Australia is underway, and Imam is expected to join the camp after his Valima ceremony. The camp will run till November 28 at the Pindi Cricket Stadium, and the team will fly out on November 30 from Lahore. Pakistan will play three Test matches against Australia from December 14, 2023, to January 7, 2024, as part of the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship.
The first Test will be held at Perth Stadium, the second at Melbourne Cricket Ground, and the third at Sydney Cricket Ground. The Pakistan squad for the tour comprises 18 members, with Shan Masood as the captain. The team includes Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Nauman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Afridi, Saud Shakeel, and Sarfaraz Ahmed.
The chief selector, Wahab Riaz, announced the squad, which includes several new faces such as Saim Ayub and Khurram Shahzad. The squad will assemble in Rawalpindi on November 22 for a training camp ahead of the tour. Arshad Iqbal, Kashif Ali, and the players called for the camp.