Pakistan cricket team announce test squad for the upcoming Australia tour

Shan Masood was named as Pakistan test team captain.

After going through a maximum change in their management and leadership group, Pakistan Cricket Board has announced an 18-member squad for the upcoming Australia tour starting on December 14th. Pakistan will be playing a 3-match test series against Australia. Shan Masood will be playing his first test series as Pakistan skipper. Pakistan are currently leading in the ICC World Test championship tally with 24 points in 2 games.

Pakistan national chief selector Wahab Riaz named an 18-members squad under Shaan Masood, with major changes in the team. Left-hand opening batter Saim Ayub has earned a maiden call-up to Pakistan team. Saim Ayub has done a magnificent job in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy in 2023–24. 22-years-old scored 553 runs in the tournament and will be taking responsibility for Pakistan’s batting-order.

Wahab Riaz’s first assignment as selector

Along with Saim Ayub, right-arm-pace bowler Khurram Shahzad has also been rewarded with his maiden call-up. Khurram Shahzad is the leading wicket-taker in the Quaif-e-Azam Trophy, with 36 wickets in the tournament so far. Pace bowling all-rounders Faheem Ashraf, left-arm pacer Mir Hamza, and right-arm pacer Mohammad Wasim Jr. have also marked their return to Pakistan test squad after a while.

Pakistan chief selector Wahab Riaz has said that he has picked the team considering the pitch and conditions in Australia. Riaz said, “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.”

Babar Azam resigned from the captaincy of Pakistan cricket team. According to a few media reports, Pakistan cricket board forced Babar Azam to resign from the leadership, and a new captain was picked. Shan Masood has played 30 test matches for Pakistan and scored 1597 runs at an average of 28.51. Masood has scored 4 test centuries and 7 half-centuries in his career. The first test will be played at Optus Stadium in Perth on December 14.

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