Pakistan Announces Test Squad for Australia Tour 2023-24; Shan Masood Named New Test Captain

Pakistan has revealed an 18-member squad for the upcoming three-match Test series against Australia, set to commence on December 14, 2023. Shan Masood has been appointed as the new Test captain of the national cricket team and will lead the side for the first time. The squad features the inclusion of stylish batter Saim Ayub and fast bowlers Khurram Shahzad and Aamir Jamal, all of whom receive their maiden Test call-up. The announcement was made by Pakistan Cricket's new chief selector and former pacer Wahab Riaz.

Following fast bowler Naseem Shah's unavailability due to a shoulder injury, left-arm pacer Mir Hamza has been called up to the test team. Additionally, nine players from the World Cup squad have been retained as Pakistan continues their tour Down Under with a stop in New Zealand to play five T20 internationals. It's worth noting that Wahab Riaz only announced the squad for the three test matches in Australia.

The selectors have been impressed by the performance of the flamboyant and daring opener Saim Ayub in domestic cricket, leading to his debut in T20Is where he has already played 8 international matches. Meanwhile, left-arm fast bowler Aamir Jamal brings experience from 4 T20Is, and right-arm medium pacer Khurram Shahzad stands to make his international debut if selected for the playing XI.

Wahab explained that Naseem, who sustained an injury during the Asia Cup and subsequently underwent shoulder surgery in the UK, would only be able to bowl at 50-60 percent of his capability in three weeks. This was the reason why his inclusion was not taken into consideration. Regarding the unavailability of pacer Haris Rauf, Wahab mentioned that Rauf has expressed concerns about his workload and fitness, and as a result, he has made himself unavailable for the upcoming tour.

Mir Hamza's most recent Test appearance took place against New Zealand in Karachi in January of this year; however, he was subsequently left out of the squad for the Sri Lankan tour. Meanwhile, Former captain Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Saud Shakeel, Agha Salman, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali, Imam ul Haq, Abdullah Shafique, and Mohammad Wasim Junior have all been named in the World Cup team and have also been chosen for the upcoming test series in Australia.

Sarfaraz Ahmed, the ex-skipper and wicketkeeper, spinners Abrar Ahmed and Noman Ali, and all-rounder Faheem Ashraf have all been included in the squad. The selectors have opted not to include opener Fakhar Zaman, leg spinner Usama Mir, and all-rounders Shadab Khan and Iftikhar Ahmed for the test tour.

Wahab indicated that the squad was selected with the challenging Australian conditions in consideration. "We have taken into account the nature of the pitches and bolstered our pace bowling resources to provide the management with flexibility in team combinations across all three Test matches," he explained. The team will undergo a training camp in Rawalpindi from November 23 to 28 prior to departing from Lahore on November 30.

Revised Test Match Schedule

• 1st Test: Perth, 14-18 December 2023

• 2nd Test: Melbourne, 26-30 December 2023

• 3rd Test: Sydney, 3-7 January 2024

Pakistan Test Squad for Australia Series:

• Shan Masood (captain)

• Aamir Jamal

• Abdullah Shafique

• Abrar Ahmed

• Babar Azam

• Faheem Ashraf

• Hasan Ali

• Imam-ul-Haq

• Khurram Shahzad

• Mir Hamza

• Mohammad Rizwan (wk)

• Mohammad Wasim Junior

• Noman Ali

• Saim Ayub

• Salman Ali Agha

• Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk)

• Saud Shakeel

• Shaheen Shah Afridi