Left-handed opening batter Saim Ayub, quick bowler Khurram Shahzad, and all-rounder Amir Jamal earned their maiden call-ups because of their noteworthy performances in latest cricket tournaments.
Regardless of being initially included within the plans for the three Take a look at matches, Rauf, identified for his tempo, unexpectedly pulled out on Sunday night time, regardless of confirming his availability simply two days prior, in accordance with newly-appointed chief selector Wahab Riaz.
“He (Rauf) gave his consent, however later he modified his thoughts as a result of he was apprehensive about his health and the workload,” Riaz mentioned in Lahore whereas saying the squad. “His absence will have an effect on the workforce mixture.”
Riaz revealed that the medical panel of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) assured him of Rauf’s health for the upcoming Take a look at matches in Australia.
Regardless of receiving a clear invoice of well being, Rauf unexpectedly withdrew from the squad. Riaz, together with workforce director Mohammad Hafeez, had a dialogue with Rauf, however the resolution to drag out was made on the final second, leaving the workforce administration stunned and necessitating the inclusion of recent gamers within the Take a look at tour.
“I used to be even able to facilitate him had he not carried out in Australia, however he didn’t agree,” Riaz mentioned.
Three front-line quick bowlers — Naseem Shah, Ihsanullah and Mohammad Hasnain — all had been dominated out of the tour due to accidents.
The selectors have named Shahzad, a 23-year-old quick bowler, alongside skilled bowlers Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali. Jamal, who has represented Pakistan in T20s towards England, is within the squad as a seam-bowling allrounder.
Left-arm quick bowler Mir Hamza, boasting 32 wickets from the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, and right-arm pacer Mohammad Wasim make a return to the Take a look at squad as Pakistan endure a revamp following its early exit from the Cricket World Cup in India.
Babar Azam stepped down from the captaincy and left-handed opening batter Shan Masood will lead the Take a look at aspect in Australia after he was appointed till the tip of the World Take a look at Championship cycle of 2023-25.
Pakistan beat Sri Lanka 2-0 in its opening WTC Take a look at collection in Sri Lanka, however it will likely be an enormous job for Masood in Testing Australian situations when Pakistan performs in Perth, Melbourne and Sydney.
“Now we have stored the (Australian) pitches in thoughts and added extra tempo bowling assets to the workforce to make sure that the administration will be versatile with the workforce combos,” Riaz mentioned.
Thriller spinner Abrar Ahmed and left-arm spinner Noman Ali are the 2 specialist gradual bowlers within the squad.
Pakistan’s workforce could have a coaching camp in Rawalpindi beginning Thursday earlier than the workforce flies out to Australia from Lahore on Nov. 30.
Squad: Shan Masood (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Afridi.
(With AP inputs)
