Wahab Riaz announces Pakistan Test squad for Australia series

Chief selector Wahab Riaz on Monday unveiled the 18-man Pakistan Test team for the three-match visit to Australia, which is slated to take place between December 14, 2023, and January 7, 2024.

As for Wahab, this will be his first job after taking over as head of the national men’s selection committee last week. Shan Masood was chosen as captain following the resignation of Babar Azam.

Masood, who replaced Babar as captain after a disastrous World Cup campaign, has been selected Pakistan’s captain for the ICC World Test Championship 2023–25 cycle.

🚨 SQUAD ANNOUNCED 🚨

Our 18-member squad for the three-match Test series against Australia 🇵🇰

Read more ➡️ https://t.co/eHP9NXPkOu#AUSvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/ioKnv0cBxJ

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) November 20, 2023

Pacer Haris Rauf had told the cricket board that he would play Test cricket for the national team, but Riaz claimed in his first press conference as head selector that he had notified the management yesterday that he did not want to be involved in this series.

“It’s crucial to let you know about this so that everyone is aware of what’s happening,” Riaz told reporters, bringing up Rauf’s worries about potential health problems if he participated in the tour.

“We’ve made every effort to help him. I was prepared to accept it even if he didn’t succeed on this tour. According to our fitness guru, Rauf won’t face any problems going forward.

“He withdrew at the last minute, but we could have handled the problems.” The chief selector stated, “I think Pakistan would suffer from this.

Saim Ayub, a left-handed opening batsman, has qualified for his first Test squad call-up following an outstanding performance in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2023–24.

The 22-year-old amassed 3 centuries and 553 runs in four games for Karachi Whites, including a game-winning double-century against Faisalabad in the tournament final. In the Pakistan Cup, a one-day competition, he maintained his success and finished as the top run scorer. He was voted the tournament’s best batter.

Khurram Shahzad, a right-arm fast bowler, has also received his first Test call-up following a strong domestic season thus far.

With 36 wickets at an average of 20.31 in eight matches during the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2023–24, the 23-year-old was the leading wicket-taker. He also grabbed 13 wickets at an average of 16.62 in the just finished Pakistan Cup.

All-around fast bowler Faheem Ashraf, who last played for Pakistan in Test matches during England’s tour of the country in late 2022, has rejoined the team.

Both right-arm bowler Muhammad Wasim Jr. and left-arm pacer Mir Hamza, who took 32 wickets at 20.88 in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2023–24, will be returning to the team.

During New Zealand’s December 2022–January 2023 tour of Pakistan, the two fast bowlers were a member of the Pakistani team.

“The squad has been assembled keeping in mind the challenging Australian conditions,” chief selector Wahab Riaz said of the team chosen for the Australia tour.

To ensure that the management can be flexible with the team combinations in all three Test matches, we have added more pace bowling resources to the team while keeping an eye on the wickets.”

“Saim Ayub’s outstanding domestic season this year led to his inclusion in the squad. He has strengthened his case for selection by performing well at bat in the Pakistan Cup and Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. His addition will bolster our potent batting lineup.

Pakistan has had a great start to the ICC World Test Championship 2023–25, following their triumph in Sri Lanka earlier in the year. We’re hoping the group can maintain this momentum when they play in Australia. We have made an effort to make sure the group has access to all the tools they need to succeed in Australia.

Prior to the journey, the team will get together for a training camp in Rawalpindi on November 22.

The camp is slated to take place at Pindi Cricket Stadium from November 23 to November 28. The group will depart by plane from Lahore on November 30.

A few other athletes have also received invitations to participate in the training camp. Arshad Iqbal, Kashif Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usama Mir, and Usman Qadir are the players called up for the camp.

Team

Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, and Shaheen Shah Afridi are the players who make up the captain Shan Masood.

Australia tour by Pakistan

First Test: Perth Stadium, December 14–18
Second Test: December 26–30, MCG
Third Test: SCG, January 3–7