PAK vs AUS: Pakistan squad for Australia Tests announced
PAK vs AUS: Pakistan cricket selectors today announced 16 players and five reserves for the three Tests against Australia, which will be played in Rawalpindi (4-8 March), Karachi (12-16 March) and Lahore (21-25 March).
However, From the series against Bangladesh, three changes have been made in the national squad.
Haris Rauf, who was in the side for the South Africa and Zimbabwe Tests in 2021, has returned to replace off-spinner Bilal Asif, while Shan Masood, who last played in New Zealand in the 2020-21 season, has taken over from Abid Ali, who is completing his rehabilitation after being diagnosed with Acute Coronary Syndrome. Moreover, Yasir Shah has added to the reserve pool.
Therefore, Test players who not involved in the Pakistan Super League 2022 will assemble in Karachi on Wednesday, 16 February, for a training camp that will held at the National Stadium.
Test squad:
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
In addition, Reserves:
Kamran Ghulam
Mohammad Abbas
Naseem Shah
Sarfaraz Ahmed
Yasir Shah
Further Chief selector Muhammad Wasim said: Moreover, we have opted for consistency for the important home series against Australia and changes have only made where absolutely necessary. However, 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.
As a result, these are the best available, most talented and in-form players in the domestic circuit. Moreover, I am confident they will put up an impressive performance against a formidable Australia side.”
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.
Likewise, 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).