The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a 16-member squad for the three-match Test series against Australia, with three changes to the squad. According to the PCB, fast bowler, Harris Rauf and opener, Shan Masood have returned for the Test series against Australia, while the third player Yasir Shah has been included in the list of reserve players.
PCB announced 16-member Test squad for Australia series
Haris Rauf was part of the national Test squad against South Africa and Zimbabwe, while Shan Masood last represented Pakistan in a tour of New Zealand in the 2020-2020 season. Both players have been included in the squad in place of spinner Bilal Asif and opener Abid Ali. Chief selector Mohammad Waseem said that instead of making major changes in the national squad for the Test series against Australia, continuity has been maintained, which will not only boost the confidence of the players but also reward them for their excellent performance in the year 2021.
Test squad
- Babar Azam (captain) (Central Punjab)
- Mohammad Rizwan (vice-captain) (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
- Abdullah Shafique (Central Punjab)
- Azhar Ali (Central Punjab)
- Faheem Ashraf (Central Punjab)
- Fawad Alam (Sindh)
- Haris Rauf (Northern)
- Hasan Ali (Central Punjab)
- Imam-ul-Haq (Balochistan)
- Mohammad Nawaz (Northern)
- Nauman Ali (Northern)
- Sajid Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
- Saud Shakeel (Sindh)
- Shaheen Shah Afridi (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
- Shan Masood (Balochistan)
- Zahid Mahmood (Sindh)
Reserves
- Kamran Ghulam (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
- Mohammad Abbas (Southern Punjab)
- Naseem Shah (Southern Punjab)
- Sarfaraz Ahmed (Sindh)
- Yasir Shah (Balochistan)
“We have opted for consistency for the important home series against Australia and changes have only been made where absolutely necessary,” said Chief selector Muhammad Wasim.
“This is to give the boys confidence, reward them for their impressive performances in the longer version of the game in 2021, and continue to build the side for the future.”
Chief selector Muhammad Wasim further stated:
“These are the best available, most talented, and in-form players in the domestic circuit. I am confident they will put up an impressive performance against a formidable Australia side.”
The PCB, meanwhile, has appointed Saqlain Mushtaq as Pakistan’s head coach for another 12 months, while Mohammad Yousuf has been appointed batting coach for the Australia series and Shan Tate has been appointed fast bowling coach for 12 months. Players who are not part of the National Test squad for PSL 2022 will be part of the training camp at the National Stadium Karachi on Wednesday, February 16.
