Fast bowler Haris Rauf and opener Shan Masood have been included in Pakistan’s Test squad for the upcoming home series against Australia. The series, which will begin with the Tests on March 4, will mark Australia’s first series in Pakistan since 1998. Pakistan will also continue with Saqlain Mushtaq as head coach for another 12 months.
Former Australia quick Shaun Tait will take over as fast bowling coach for 12 months, while Mohammad Yousuf has been appointed as the batting coach for this series.
Opener Masood comes in for Abid Ali, who is completing his rehabilitation after being diagnosed with Acute Coronary Syndrome. Haris Rauf, who made the squad for the series against South Africa and Zimbabwe, is still uncapped at Test level and gets into the main squad. The likes of Naseem Shah and Mohammad Abbas remain in the reserve pool alongside veteran leggie Yasir Shah.
“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.
“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 team will conduct a training camp at the National Stadium in Karachi from mid-February. The Test series begins on March 4 with the first Test to be played in Rawalpindi. The subsequent two Tests will be played in Karachi and Lahore.
Test squad: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (vc), Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Zahid Mahmood,
Reserves: Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Yasir Shah.