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It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day, but the question is will Pakistan’s cricketers be feeling good? Those words are of course from the famous song, but it can be asked of the men in green as they are in action in Australia.

Pakistan and their cricket side usually go hand in hand with drama and controversy, the build-up to this test series has been no different.

From the refusal of Harris Rauf’s visa to go and play BBL cricket or legends like Wasim Akram criticising for him not wanting to play test cricket, it’s not been a quiet night in for team Pakistan.

That’s only off-field issue I have mentioned, what about ex-skipper Babar Azam, resigning from all three formats?

Yeah, was going to get to that. The PCB dealt with that poorly, but after a disappointing World Cup campaign, reactions, knee-jerk at that too, were bound to happen.

The removal of cricket director Mickey Arthur, again for a second time, as far as the sports desk here at the-sports-buff.com is concerned, is a head-scratching one.

O how the cricket fans and experts in Pakistan were crying for the South African Arthur’s return ( I say that metaphorically) and Najum Sethi the ex-cricket chief was obsessed with the idea.

So to replace the top two men in Pakistan’s test side are Shaan Masood, who will captain the side for this World Test Championship cycle (2023-2025) and Mohammed Hafeez who is the new director.

The appointment of Masood has been lauded within the game. The 34-year-old represents short-term thinking.

If the current Yorkshire skipper of course does well in the role, then such an appointment despite the short-term view is going to be a good one.

Think India and their appointment of Rohit Sharma. Well, before yours truly gets over-consumed in comparing Pakistan to India, the truth has to be told and it’s this.

The men in blue, the beaten World Cup finalists have a better spin attack. Sajid Khan, who impressed against Bangladesh, comes in for the injured Abrar Ahmed who has impressed for what was Babar Azam’s Pakistan.

Pakistan’s current crop of players and the players that Shaan will look to include in the test side will need to hit the ground running.

Australia come into this series as an overwhelming favourites. Pat Cummins is one of the best captains in the international game.

Shaan Masood is a novice at this level but does have some domestic experience. So it’s fair to say the 34-year-old, won’t be too overawed by the occasion.

What will be crucial is that his Pakistan side, create chances and take them. The Pakistani in years gone by have been notorious for poor fielding and drop catches.

Sarfraz Ahmed has been confirmed as the first-choice wicket-keeper, this is his first big call as skipper, and this could make or break the whole series.

The first test between Australia and Pakistan starts tomorrow 2:30am GMT, in Perth.

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