Wahab Riaz, the chief selector, has unveiled the 18-member Pakistan Test squad for the upcoming Australia tour, spanning three matches from December 14, 2023, to January 7, 2024. This marks Wahab’s inaugural assignment since assuming leadership of the national men’s selection committee last week. Shan Masood will lead the team in his debut as Test captain, succeeding Babar Azam for the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle. Saim Ayub, the left-handed opening batter, secures his first Test call-up after an impressive performance in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2023-24.
Left-handed opening batter Saim Ayub has earned his maiden call-up to the Test team after an impressive run in Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2023-24. The 22-year-old scored 553 runs in four matches for Karachi Whites and had three centuries to his name, including a match-winning double century against Faisalabad in the final of the tournament. He continued his form in the Pakistan Cup (one-day tournament), where he was named the best batter of the tournament, ending as the competition’s highest run-getter.
Khurram Shahzad, the right-arm fast bowler, also earns his maiden Test selection based on a successful domestic season. Additionally, pace bowling all-rounder Faheem Ashraf returns to the squad after his last appearance during England’s tour of Pakistan in late 2022. Left-arm pacer Mir Hamza and right-arm pacer Mohammad Wasim Jnr make a comeback after their participation in Pakistan’s squad during New Zealand’s tour from December 2022 to January 2023.
