Pakistan dearly missed the services of their young pacer Naseem Shah in ICC Men’s ODI World Cup 2023 as the Babar Azam-led side failed to make it into the semifinals. Naseem got injured during Asia Cup 2023 and was ruled out of ODI World Cup. After undergoing surgery in the United Kingdom, Shah is recovering well and is expected to make a comeback. In the press conference in Lahore, newly appointed chief selector Wahab Riaz revealed that Shah has started bowling but there is still time before he will return to the squad.
“Hopefully, Naseem will be able bowl to 50-60 per cent of his ability in the next three weeks. He is expected to regain fitness soon,” Riaz said as he announced Pakistan’s 18-member Test squad for the three-Test series against Pat Cummins’ Australia.
After Naseem got injured, Hasan Ali was picked as his replacement for World Cup 2023 in India. Ali walked into the squad as Mohammad Hasnain and Ihsanullah were injured as well. Riaz provided an update on the two young pacers as well.
“Mohammad Hasnain has started his running and sprinting. He bowled last week but he will be back on track from one to two weeks. Ihsanullah's rehabilation is also underway. We will be updating you about his progress in future,” the former Pakistan left-arm pacer said.
Shan Masood will lead Pakistan for the first time in Tests. He will face a baptism by fire against the defending WTC champions Australia. Pakistan are yet to win a Test series on Australian soil.
Currently, Pakistan are on the top of the WTC 2023-25 points table with two wins against Sri Lanka. Australia are third on the list with two wins from five Tests in the Ashes 2023.
The three-Test series will begin on December 14 in Perth. The next two Tests will be played in Melbourne and Sydney. Before the Test series, a warm-up game will be played against Prime Minister XI on December 6.
Pakistan Test squad:
Shan Masood (c), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-hAq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Agha Salman, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi
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