PCB names unchanged squad for Australia Tests

KARACHI: National selectors on Monday decided against making any changes to the Pakistan squad which is currently facing serious problems in New Zealand.

There were expectations that the national selection committee headed by former captain Inzamam-ul-Haq will make a few changes in the squad for the three-Test series against Australia especially after the national team’s poor showing in the ongoing two-match series in New Zealand.

However, the selectors opted to keep faith in the 16-man touring party which will reach Brisbane later this week after the conclusion of the second and final Test against New Zealand in Hamilton. Pakistan’s opening Test against Australia, a day-night affair, will get underway from December 15. The other two Tests will be played in Melbourne and Sydney.

“Inzamam-ul-Haq today finalised the 16-member Test squad for Australia tour. The team has been finalised by Inzamam and national selection committee after consultations with the team’s head Coach and the Test captain,” a statement issued by the Pakistan Cricket (PCB) said.

For the series against Australia, Sharjeel Khan and Mohammad Rizwan, who were Pakistan’s only inclusions for the Test series against New Zealand, retained their place.

With Misbah-ul-Haq unavailable, Rizwan was handed his debut in the ongoing second Test, but was dismissed for a first-ball duck in the first innings. Sharjeel did not play a game on the tour.

Kamran Akmal, the leading run-scorer in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, and Mohammad Hafeez were considered but the selectors decided to keep faith in the young squad.

Pakistan played both Tests in New Zealand with three fast bowlers and one spinner in Yasir Shah. With pitches in Australia not conducive to spin bowling, Pakistan were satisfied with allrounder Mohammad Rizwan as the back-up spin option.

Pakistan squad: Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Azhar Ali, Sami Aslam, Sharjeel Khan, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Mohammad Rizwan, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Rahat Ali, Sohail Khan, Imran Khan.