The Pakistan cricket team surprised everyone by giving the Australian team Christmas gifts in advance of the second Test in Melbourne. During the indoor training session, candy was also given to the kids as part of the celebratory gesture that PCB recorded on camera. But former Australian spinner Kerry O’Keeffe expressed surprise at the friendly interaction, wondering if such comradery would have persisted in the past. Are we playing this test series with the greatest of intentions? Even in the best of moods, you cannot defeat Australia. Yesterday, we received our Christmas presents.
Would Steve Waugh have received Christmas presents from Sourav Ganguly? In a video that Fox Sports posted, Kerry O’Keeffe stated, “No.”
The 74-year-old, an Australian player from 1971–1977, feels that a team needs a little passion to compete against the Aussies. “When facing the Australians, you have to play fiercely. You need to be a little spiteful. It’s far too pleasant. and finishing with a half-volley to start Boxing Day,” he continued.
According to O’Keeffe, the current series is being played in “far too good spirits.” He underlined the necessity of adopting a more aggressive strategy and pushed Pakistan to do so.
Rain interrupted Day 1 of the second Test, which was played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. In this Test, Australia is similarly well-positioned to win the three-test series after their comprehensive victory in Perth. Day two of the match saw Pakistan dominate at first, but Australia mounted a strong recovery in the last session, taking five vital wickets.
Pakistan is trailing by 125 runs despite having a strong start, which is to the Australians’ benefit. A double-wicket burst from Pat Cummins ended the partnership between Abdullah Shafique and Shan Masood, which was among the standout performances.
O’Keeffe’s need for greater competitiveness in the game as the series goes on begs the question of whether the spirit of competition and the season of goodwill can coexist on the cricket pitch.
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