No Rizwan as Pakistan name XI for opening Test against Australia
|| ICC ||
Pakistan confirm two Test debutants in their playing XI for the first match of their ICC World Test Championship series in Perth, starting 14 December.
Shan Masood's first assignment as skipper sees Pakistan make a ring of changes with all-rounder Aamir Jamal and right-arm fast bowler Khurram Shahzad set to make their Test debut
Jamal recently made his international debut for Pakistan a year back against England and recently represented them at the Asian Games. Meanwhile, for Khurram, it will be a first outing for his country.
After a nearly year-long wait, all-arounder Faheem Ashraf is returning to the Test arena while Sarfaraz Ahmed continues to be Pakistan's first wicketkeeper choice ahead of Mohammed Rizwan.
Pakistan have retained the combination of Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafique at the top with the latter displaying good form in the recently concluded ICC Men's Cricket World Cup.
Former skipper Babar Azam will continue to feature at his number four batting position. The visitors have entrusted Salman Ali Agha to take up spin duties as Abrar Ahmed had been ruled out due to injury.
The fast bowling line-up attack will be led by Shaheen Afridi, supported by Faheem Ashraf.
Squad:
Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Aamir Jamal, and Khurram Shahzad.