Wahab Riaz announces Pakistan Test squad for Australian tour

LAHORE: The first assigenment of new Chief Selector Wahab Riaz has been revealed, as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced  the 18-member Pakistan Test squad set to face Australia in a challenging three-match series from 14 December 2023 to 7 January 2024.

According to the press release, Shan Masood, in his maiden stint as Test captain, will lead the side, taking over from Babar Azam for the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle.

The reports indicate that exciting additions to the squad include left-handed opening batter Saim Ayub, earning his first Test call-up after an impressive performance in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2023-24, and right-arm fast bowler Khurram Shahzad, who impressed with 36 wickets in the same domestic tournament.

Meanwhile, the squad also welcomes back pace bowling all-rounder Faheem Ashraf, returning after his last Test appearance during England’s tour of Pakistan in late 2022.

Read More: Masood leads Pakistan as Test squad revealed for Australia series

Reflecting on the squad, Chief Selector Wahab Riaz stated, “The squad has been assembled keeping in mind the challenging Australian conditions. We have kept the pitches in mind and added more pace bowling resources to the team to ensure that the management can be flexible with the team combinations in all three Test matches.”

The squad, which includes the returning Mir Hamza and Mohammad Wasim Jnr, will undergo a training camp in Rawalpindi from 23 to 28 November at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium before departing for Australia on November 30.

Additional players invited to the training camp are Arshad Iqbal, Kashif Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usama Mir, and Usman Qadir.

The full schedule for the Australia Tests is as follows:

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

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

– 3rd Test: Sydney, 3-7 January 2024

Wahab Riaz expressed optimism, stating, “We hope that the team can carry this momentum ahead in Australia as well. We have tried to ensure that the team has all relevant resources to find success in Australia.”