The Pakistan cricket selectors have unveiled a squad of 16 players and five reserves for the upcoming three Test matches against Australia. These matches are scheduled to take place in Rawalpindi from March 4th to 8th, Karachi from March 12th to 16th, and Lahore from March 21st to 25th.
In the national squad for the upcoming series against Bangladesh, three changes have been made from the previous series.
Haris Rauf is back in the squad, replacing off-spinner Bilal Asif, and Shan Masood has returned, taking over from Abid Ali, who is recovering from Acute Coronary Syndrome. Yasir Shah has been included in the reserve pool.
Test players not involved in the HBL Pakistan Super League 2022 will gather in Karachi on Wednesday, February 16, for a training camp at the National Stadium.
Pakistan Test squad:
Babar Azam (captain) (Central Punjab)
Mohammad Rizwan (vice-captain) (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
Abdullah Shafique (Central Punjab)
Azhar Ali (Central Punjab)
Faheem Ashraf (Central Punjab)
Fawad Alam (Sindh)
Haris Rauf (Northern)
Hasan Ali (Central Punjab)
Imam-ul-Haq (Balochistan)
Mohammad Nawaz (Northern)
Nauman Ali (Northern)
Sajid Khan (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
Saud Shakeel (Sindh)
Shaheen Shah Afridi (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
Shan Masood (Balochistan)
Zahid Mahmood (Sindh)
Reserves
Kamran Ghulam (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
Mohammad Abbas (Southern Punjab)
Naseem Shah (Southern Punjab)
Sarfaraz Ahmed (Sindh)
Yasir Shah (Balochistan)
Chief Selector Statement
Chief selector Muhammad Wasim: “We have opted for consistency for the important home series against Australia and changes have only been made where absolutely necessary. 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.”
Coaching Staff
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board has confirmed 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.
Player Support Personnel:
Mansoor Rana (manager), Saqlain Mushtaq (head coach), Shahid Aslam (assistant to head coach), Mohammad Yousuf (batting coach), Shaun Tait (bowling coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Drikus Saaiman (trainer/strength and conditioning coach), Abdul Majeed (fielding coach), Emmad Ahmed Hameed (media and digital manager), Col (retd) Usman Anwari (security manager), Talha Ejaz (analyst), and Malang Ali (masseur).
Pakistan v Australia Test Match Schedule
1st Test Mach: Rawalpindi (4-8 March)
2nd Test Match: Karachi (12-16 March)
3rd Test: Lahore (21-25 March)
