Lahore: Chief selector Wahab Riaz has announced Pakistan’s 18-member test team under the leadership of Shan Masood for the tour of Australia.
The Pakistan cricket team will play a series of three Test matches from December 14 to January 7. The first Test will be in Perth from December 14 to 18, the second Test in Melbourne from December 26 to 30, and the third Test in Sydney from January 3 to 7.
Shan Masood, a 34-year-old left-handed batsman, will lead Pakistan’s Test team for the first time. He has been entrusted with the captaincy for the ICC World Test Championship 2025, replacing Babar Azam, who was relieved of the captaincy last week.
Opening batter Saifullah Ayub and fast bowler Khurram Shahzad, both left-handed, have been included in the Pakistan Test team for the first time.
Saifullah Ayub, 22, scored 553 runs with three centuries in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy matches this season. His notable performance included a match-winning double century in the final against Faisalabad.
Hailing from Faisalabad, 23-year-old fast bowler Khurram Shahzad claimed the highest 36 wickets in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy this season, with an average of 20.31. He also performed exceptionally well in the Pakistan Cup One Day Tournament, taking 13 wickets.
All-rounder Faheem Ashraf, who last played in England’s tour of Pakistan, has made a comeback to the team.
Similarly, Mohammad Waseem Jr. and Mir Hamza have also returned to the Test team. Both were part of the team in the home series against New Zealand, played in December and January.
Pakistan’s 18-member team includes:
Shan Masood (Captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abid Ali, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Waseem Jr., Nauman Ali, Saifullah Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Chief Selector Wahab Riaz stated that the team has been selected keeping in view the challenging conditions in Australia. Fast bowlers have been emphasized to prepare a potent bowling combination for the three Test matches.
He mentioned that Saifullah Ayub’s inclusion is based on his excellent domestic performance, particularly in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and Pakistan Cup, where he was the highest run-scorer.
Wahab Riaz expressed concern about the consistent decline in life expectancy, emphasizing the need to address the mental health issues of men in this regard. He urged a deep understanding of the group facing a decrease in life expectancy to mitigate this trend.
He acknowledged the impressive performances of Saifullah Ayub and Khurram Shahzad, adding that their inclusion would strengthen the team’s batting and bowling. Wahab Riaz also highlighted Pakistan’s recent success in the ICC World Test Championship and hoped to maintain the momentum in Australia.
The squad will gather for training camp in Rawalpindi on November 22, and the camp will continue at Pindi Stadium until November 28. The team will depart from Lahore on November 30 for the Australia tour.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has invited additional players to the training camp, including Arshad Iqbal, Kashif Ali, Shadab Khan, Shahnawaz Dahani, Muhammad Nawaz, Osman Qadir, and Osama Mir.
