Since moving to Australia in 2006, this is only the second time that Pakistan has played Australia in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.
Nadia and I attended day three of the last test match, back in 2016.
Photo of the grounds at a massive cricket stadium, taken from an under-cover seat some distance away from the field.
This year I attended day one of the match with a bunch of family friends.
Selfie of four people seated in a row at a cricket match, three of whom are wearing Pakistan cricket team gear.
Here are some of the photos I took while I was there.
Lots of ways to get to Melbourne Cricket Ground
Photo of a sign post at the Melbourne Cricket ground showing the walking time and distance (in kilometres) from this post to Jolimont Railway Station, tram routes 48 and 75 along Wellington Parade, Flinders Street Railway Station, tram route 70 along Swan Street, and Richmond Railway Station.
Train tracks between the MCG and Melbourne & Olympic Parks
Photo taken through a wire mesh fence of half a dozen train tracks running between where the photographer is standing and several buildings and sports centres on the other side. A blue-and-yellow Metro train is running along one of these tracks. A covered, elevated walkway runs above the tracks.
Welcome to the Boxing Day test
Photo of an entry gate at Melbourne Cricket Ground, which about two dozen people waiting in short queues to get through security and ticketing. A large digital sign above the gate reads, in all capital letters, “Welcome to the boxing day test”.
Qantas Choir getting ready to sing the Australian national anthem
Photo of three rows of young women, all wearing an identical uniform of black shoes, black pants, and cream coloured tops, standing in choir formation inside a massive cricket stadium.
Qantas Choir singing the Australian national anthem
Photo of three rows of young women, all wearing an identical uniform of black shoes, black pants, and cream coloured tops, standing in choir formation inside a massive cricket stadium. On the other side of the large ground are the cricket players standing next to their respective country flags.
Cricketer Shaheen Afridi warming up before his bowling spell
Photo of a male cricket player, wearing an all-white kit, jumping in the air as part of his warm-up routine.
Cricketer David Warner batting
Photo of a male cricket player, wearing an all-white kit, standing at the crease and ready to face ball that is being bowled to him.
Young Pakistani supporter
Photo of a young boy in a while t-shirt and a green coloured Pakistan team hat watching a cricket match.
Cricketer Shaheen Afridi bowling
Photo of a male cricket player, wearing an all-white kit, about to release the ball he is bowling.
Melbourne Cricket Club Members Reserve stand
Photo of four tiers of cricket stands, each with a café, bar, or corporate suites behind them. A large sign on one of these seating tiers reads, ‘Melbourne Cricket Club’.
DJ Ash bringing the music to the MCG outfield
Photo of a male music DJ standing at his console while he chats to a man dressed in a bright, multi-coloured ‘Squad Pakistan’ shirt with a large dhol slung across his back.
Karachi Street Food stall outside the MCG
Photo of an outdoor food stall set up in a large garden. A sign above the stall reads, in all capital letters, ‘Karachi street food’. There are several people milling around the food stand, and a line to the food stand extends off-camera.
Long lunch-time line for the Karachi Street Food stall outside the MCG
Photo of an outdoor food stall set up in a large garden with picnic tables placed around it. A sign above the stall reads, in all capital letters, ‘Karachi street food’. A stall in the background has a sign that reads, ‘Sugarcane Juice’. There are several people standing in the garden, and a long line of people queuing at the food stand extends off-camera.