Pakistan Cricket has announced a fresh-faced squad for their demanding tour of Australia, featuring three back-to-back Test matches set to begin from December 14 in Perth. Prior to these fixtures, the team is slated to face the Prime Ministers XI in a crucial four-day warm-up encounter in Canberra, starting on December 6.
In a surprising turn of events, Shan Masood is poised to captain Pakistan’s Test team for the very first time, stepping into the leadership void left by Babar Azam who recently resigned from the captaincy across all formats following the team’s underwhelming performance at the World Cup. As Pakistan looks to rebound and carve a new path forward, the squad has infused new talent with the inclusion of opener Saim Ayub and fast bowler Khurram Shahzad, both of whom are on the verge of making their test debuts.
Saim Ayub, though already caped eight times in T20Is for Pakistan, has earned his spot in the longer format courtesy of an impressive first-class track record, amassing 1069 runs at an average of 46.47. His recent exploits include a sensational performance featuring a double century and a century in a single game played this October. Shahzad, on the other hand, claims his berth as the leading wicket-taker in the domestic Quaid-e-Azam trophy with 36 dismissals under his belt.
One notable absence from the squad is that of pace sensation Haris Rauf, who has opted out of Test cricket for the time being. This was confirmed by chief selector Wahab Riaz during a press conference on November 20. Furthermore, Naseem Shah continues to be on the side-lines as he recuperates from an injury sustained during the Asia Cup.
The pace attack has some familiar and some returning faces. Mir Hamza, after a successful domestic season where he claimed 32 wickets, is making his comeback to the national fold. Similarly, the experienced Faheem Ashraf finds his way back into the Pakistani set-up, adding depth to the bowling department.
The following players form the complete roster for Pakistan’s tour of Australia: Shan Masood (captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Nauman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, and Shaheen Afridi.
Pakistan’s tour down under could be a watershed moment for the team, as they aim to re-establish themselves on the formidable Australian pitches, a task that has historically proven challenging for the best of cricketing nations. Shan Masood’s leadership, along with the blend of youth and experience in the squad, could be determinative factors in a series that promises to be as enthralling as it is testing.
The complete schedule for Pakistan’s tour of Australia is as follows:
December 6 – December 9: Prime Ministers XI vs Pakistan – 4-day warm-up match in Canberra
December 14- December 18: Australia vs Pakistan – 1st Test in Perth
December 26 – December 30: Australia vs Pakistan – 2nd Test in Melbourne
January 3 – January 7: Australia vs Pakistan – 3rd Test in Sydney
With the world of cricket watching closely, Pakistan aims to forge a path of resurgence, starting with this pivotal tour. The upcoming series will not only test the team’s skill and resilience but also offer a glimpse into the future of Pakistani cricket under its new leadership.