- For the first time, Saim Ayub and Khurram Shahzad are included in the national Test squad.
- Mir Hamza, Faheem Ashraf, and Muhammad Wasim Jr. return to the Test side.
November 20, 2023. Lahore: A squad of eighteen Pakistan Test players has been announced by chief selector Wahab Riaz for the three matches. That the country will play in Australia between December 14, 2023, and January 7, 2024. Wahab will be working on this project for the first time. Since taking over the national men’s selection committee last week.
In his first role as Test captain, Shan Masood will be captaining the team. Having replaced Babar Azam as captain last week. He was named Pakistan’s captain for the ICC World Test Championship 2023–25 cycle.
Saim Ayub
Saim Ayub, a left-handed opener. Has made his first appearance on the Test squad thanks to an outstanding Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2023–24 campaign. 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 form and finished as the top run scorer. He was named the tournament’s best batter.
On the strength of a strong domestic season. Thus far right-arm fast bowler Khurram Shahzad has also received his first call-up to the Test team. In the recently concluded Pakistan Cup, the 23-year-old claimed 13 wickets at an average of 16.62. And was the highest wicket-taker in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2023–24 with 36 wickets. In eight matches at an average of 20.31.
Following a strong domestic season thus far, right-arm fast bowler Khurram Shahzad has also received his first Test call-up.
In the recently concluded Pakistan Cup, the 23-year-old claimed 13 wickets at an average of 16.62. And was the highest wicket-taker in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2023–24 with 36 wickets in eight matches. At an average of 20.31.
In the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2023–24. Left-arm pacer Mir Hamza and right-arm pacer Muhammad Wasim Jr. Both claimed 32 wickets at a pace of 20.88. Both players will be playing again. The New Zealand tour of Pakistan from December 2022 to January 2023 included the two fast bowlers in Pakistan’s lineup.
Complete Test Squad Against Australia
The following players will represent Pakistan in the Australia Tests:
Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jr., Noman Ali, Saim Ayub. Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel, Imam-ul-Haq, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf. Hasan Ali, and Shaan Masood, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Amir Jamal Khuram Shehzad, Mir Hamza, Abdullah Shafique.
“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 allow the management to 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 pitches.
“Saim Ayub was added to the team following his outstanding domestic campaign this year. His batsmanship during the Pakistan Cup and Quaid-e-Azam Trophy has been impressive, supporting his selection. His addition will bolster our strong batting lineup.
Following their triumph in Sri Lanka earlier this year. Pakistan has got off to a great start in the ICC World Test Championship 2023–25. We’re hoping the team can continue this positive momentum when they’re in Australia. We have made an effort to provide the team with all necessary tools so they can succeed in Australia.
Prior to the tour, the team will gather in Rawalpindi on November 22 for a training camp. 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 more 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 who have been called up for the camp.
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