Pakistan names a squad for the Australia Tests, while Saim Ayub and Khurram Shahzad receive their first call-ups.

Chief Selector Wahab Riaz has announced the 18-person Pakistan Test team for the upcoming Australia tour, which will begin on December 14, 2023, and end on January 7, 2024. Since taking over as head of the national men’s selection committee last week, this is Riaz’s first duty.

For the ICC World Test Championship 2023–25 cycle, Shan Masood will captain the Test team for the first time, succeeding Babar Azam.  The selectors were drawn to the 22-year-old after his outstanding performance in the local league, when he amassed 553 runs in four games for Karachi Whites, including a double-century that won the game. Saim Ayub, a left-handed opener who impressed in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2023–24, has been called up for the first time for a Test match.

Khurram Shahzad, a right-arm fast bowler with promise, was also awarded his first Test call-up after leading the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2023–24 with 36 wickets in eight matches.

Fast-bowling all-rounder Faheem Ashraf, who last participated in Test matches during England’s tour of Pakistan in late 2022, has also returned to the squad.

Both Mir Hamza, a left-arm pacer, and Muhammad Wasim Jr., a right-arm pacer, who excelled in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2023–24, have returned.

The 18-member squad for Australia series has been revealed

Saim Ayub & Khurram Shahzad have been called up for the three-match series #PAKvAUS #TestSeries pic.twitter.com/9rhZujQOg1

— Cricket Pakistan (@cricketpakcompk) November 20, 2023

With Masood heading the team and a mix of players like Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, and the returning Ashraf, the roster consists of both new and experienced talent. Cricket fans are excited to witness how this varied and dynamic lineup plays as the team gets ready for the difficult Australian conditions.

The following players will represent Pakistan in the Australia Tests: Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jr., Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel, Imam-ul-Haq, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, and Imam-ul-Haq.