Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced Babar Azam-led 16-member squad for the historic three-match Test series against Australia which is scheduled to to be played from March 4 to March 25 in Rawalpindi, Karachi, and Lahore. The Australian cricket team is set to visit Pakistan for the first time in the last 24 year.
PCB has confirmed that Saqlain Mushtaq will continue as head coach for another 12 months while it also announced the appointments of Shaun Tait as fast bowling coach for 12 months and Mohammad Yousuf as batting coach for the Australia series.
As far as Pakistan squad is concerned, from the series against Bangladesh, three changes have been made in the national squad. Haris Rauf, who was in the side for South Africa and Zimbabwe Tests in 2021, has returned to replace off-spinner Bilal Asif while Shan Masood, who last played in New Zealand in the 2020-21 season, has taken over from Abid Ali, who is completing his rehabilitation after being diagnosed with Acute Coronary Syndrome. Yasir Shah has been added to the reserve pool.
“We have opted for consistency for the important home series against Australia and changes have only been made where absolutely necessary,” Pakistan chief selector Muhammad Wasim said.
“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,” he added.
Test players who are not involved in the Pakistan Super League 2022 will assemble in Karachi on Wednesday (February 16), for a training camp that will be held at the National Stadium.
Pakistan Test squad: Babar Azam (Captain), Mohammad Rizwan, 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.
Reserve players: Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Yasir Shah.
Australia Test squad: Pat Cummins (Captain), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Michael Neser, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner.
