Babar Azam-led Pakistan has called up Haris Rauf and brought back Shan Masood in their 16-members squad for the home series against Australia, starting from Rawalpindi on March 4 after the gap of 24 years.
Haris Rauf who was part of the Test series squad against South Africa and Zimbabwe last year has currently replaced the off-spinner Bilal Asif from the squad. Asif was part of the Bangladesh squad in the recent tour but he did not get a game there. His last Test appearance was against New Zealand in 2018.
Babar Azam-led Pakistan has called up Haris Rauf and brought back Shan Masood in their 16-members squad for the home series against Australia, starting from Rawalpindi on March 4 after the gap of 24 years.
Masood has been called back to fill the vacancy of Abid Ali, who is still in his rehabilitation process after being diagnosed with Acute Coronary Syndrome. Interestingly, Yasir Shah finds a spot in the reserves category of five players, alongside the likes of Naseem Shah and Mohammad Abbas. Yasir last appeared in a Test match in August 2021, in West Indies.
“We have opted for consistency for the important home series against Australia and changes have only been made where necessary,”
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.”
The PCB also confirmed that former spinner Saqlain Mushtaq will continue as head coach for another 12 months, while Shaun Tait who has been appointed as a fast bowling coach for the T20 World Cup 2021 will go for the same period. Mohammad Yousuf meanwhile will take the role of a batting coach for the Australia series.
Pakistan squad for Australia Tests: Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan (vice-captain), 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