LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board on Monday announced an 18-member Pakistan Test squad for the upcoming tour to Australia.
Shan Masood, who was made captain of the test team, will lead the team in the three matches series scheduled from December 14, 2023, to January 7, 2024, said Chief selector Wahab Riaz in his debut press conference.
It was the Wahab’s inaugural assignment since assuming the role of the head of the national men’s selection committee last week.
Following a disappointing World Cup campaign, Masood takes on the captaincy for the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle.
Wahab Riaz said that fast bowler Haris Rauf, who had initially assured the cricket board of his commitment to playing Test cricket, has unexpectedly withdrawn from the series. Rauf cited concerns about potential fitness issues during the tour.
Despite efforts to accommodate Rauf and assurances from the fitness consultant that he would not face fitness challenges, the fast bowler opted out at the last moment, said the chief selector, believing that Rauf’s withdrawal would be a setback for Pakistan.
Debut Test Calls
Left-handed opening batsman Saim Ayub has earned his maiden selection to the Test team following an impressive performance in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2023-24.
The 22-year-old showcased his skills by scoring 553 runs in four matches for Karachi Whites, securing three centuries, including a match-winning double-century against Faisalabad in the tournament final. Saim Ayub carried his exceptional form into the Pakistan Cup (one-day tournament), where he not only earned the title of the best batter but also emerged as the highest run-scorer in the competition.
In another debut call-up, right-arm fast bowler Khurram Shahzad has been included in the Test squad, recognizing his stellar performance in the ongoing domestic season.
Khurram, aged 23, claimed the title of the highest wicket-taker in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2023-24, taking 36 wickets in eight matches at an impressive average of 20.31. Additionally, he made a mark in the recently concluded Pakistan Cup by picking up 13 wickets at an average of 16.62.
Pace bowling all-rounder Faheem Ashraf, absent from Pakistan’s Test lineup since the late 2022 tour of England, is back in the squad.
Chief selector Wahab Riaz announces Pakistan squad for Australia series #AUSvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen https://t.co/9kR7vh1ofZ
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) November 20, 2023
Comeback
Left-arm pacer Mir Hamza, who delivered an impressive performance with 32 wickets at an average of 20.88 in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2023-24, and right-arm pacer Mohammad Wasim Jnr also mark their return to the squad.
These two fast bowlers previously featured in Pakistan’s squad during the tour against New Zealand from December 2022 to January 2023.
Pakistan Test Squad
Shan Masood (captain), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Aamir Jamal, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Mohammad Rizwan, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, and Shaheen Shah Afridi
🚨 SQUAD ANNOUNCED 🚨
Our 18-member squad for the three-match Test series against Australia 🇵🇰
Read more ➡️ https://t.co/eHP9NXPkOu#AUSvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/ioKnv0cBxJ
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) November 20, 2023
