4 Noteworthy Facts About Pakistan’s Test Squad Against Australia

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Pakistan’s Test Squad Against Australia

The selection committee of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced a 17 member squad for the upcoming two Test-match series against Australia that will be played in UAE. Those selected include Azhar Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Usman Salahuddin, Sarfraz Ahmed, Yasir Shah, Shadab Khan, Bilal Asif, Mohammad Abbas, Hasan Ali, Wahab Riaz, Faheem Ashraf, Mir Hamza and Mohammad Rizwan.

So, here is a look at 4 noteworthy facts about Pakistan’s Test squad against Australia.

Read: 7 Pakistani Cricketers Who Couldn’t Survive Under Mickey Arthur

1. Sarfaraz Receives a Clear Message

Image Source: www.espncricinfo.com

Rizwan makes a comeback as a backup wicket-keeper and hence, the out of form and fatigued Pakistani captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has been apparently given a clear message to either take rest or deliver. The move then is bound to pile pressure on the 31-year-old who is already feeling the heat following a dismal show in Asia Cup, 2018.

Read: 5 Pakistani Cricketers Who Owe Their Success To Mickey Arthur

2. Amir Dropped

Asia Cup, 2018

First time ever since making a comeback in 2016, M. Amir finds himself in wilderness as PCB has decided to drop him for the two Test rubber. If the selected pacers do well then in all probability comeback at the Test level, to say the least, might not be possible for the left-arm pacer in near future especially, because he showed reluctance in playing the longer version of the game on a regular basis himself.

Read: Why Allegations Against Inzamam Require Investigation!

3. Still No Place for Junaid and Fawad

Asia Cup, 2018
Image Source: www.bbc.com

Junaid Khan made a remarkable comeback in Pakistan’s One Day International (ODI) playing eleven. Still, he hasn’t been allowed a comeback at the Test level.

Image Source: samaa.tv

Similarly, Fawad Alam despite the need for a senior batsman in the middle order finds himself out of favor for reasons that lack both logic and comprehension.

4. Riaz and Asif Make a Comeback

Image Source: www.cricketcountry.com

Other than Rizwan pacer Wahab Riaz and spin bowling all-rounder Bilal Asif have been able to find their way back in Pakistan’s Test squad. In presence of Yasir and Shadab, Bilal might not be able to feature in the playing eleven.

Image Source: www.tribune.com.pk

However, Riaz, on the other hand, is likely to be part of the side that plays the first Test that starts in Dubai from the 7th of October, 2018.