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Pakistan Test squad for Australia series: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday (November 20) announced the 18-member squad for the three-match Test series against Australia. 34-year-old batsman Shan Masood will lead the Pakistan team. This is his first assignment as Test captain. Let us tell you that Babar Azam left the captaincy from all formats after his disappointing performance in World Cup 2023. Shan was given the Test team and fast bowler Shaheen Afridi was given the T20 team. Pakistan is scheduled to tour Australia next month.
For the first time, Pakistan has allowed two players in its Test team. These players are left-arm opening batsman Saim Ayub and right-arm fast bowler Khurram Shehzad. Both the players have earned a place in the Test squad due to their impressive performances in the domestic circuit. Ayub scored 553 runs in four matches in the Quaid-Azam Trophy 2023–24, including three centuries. Shahzad took 36 wickets in eight matches and was the highest wicket-taker in the tournament. All-rounder Faheem Ashraf has returned to the Test team after almost a year. He last played a match in this format for Pakistan in December 2022. Fast bowlers Mir Hamza and Mohammad Wasim have also returned.
Pakistan selectors wanted to include fast bowler Haris Rauf in the Test team but he refused. Chief selector Wahab Riaz said that we spoke to Haris about the tour to Australia two days ago and he agreed to play Tests for Pakistan. However, he changed his mind on Sunday night. He was worried about fitness and workload. He has withdrawn his name and is unavailable for this tour. I think this can hurt Pakistan cricket.
The series between Pakistan and Australia will start from December 14. The first Test match will be played in Perth. The second clash between the two will take place from November 26 in Melbourne. The last match of the series will be played from 3 January 2024. Before the Test series, the Pakistan team is scheduled to play a four-day practice match against the Prime Minister’s XI from December 6.
Pakistan Test Squad for Australia Series: Shan Masood (capt), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafiq, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket), Mohammad Wasim Jr, Noman Ali, Shaheen Afridi , Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfraz Ahmed (wicketkeeper), Saeed Shakeel.