The tour will open at the Perth Stadium on 14 December and it will mark the first instance of Pakistan playing a Test at the venue
21 November, 2023
PHOTO: PCB
Pakistan's Chief Selector, Wahab Riaz, has explained about the decision to prefer fast bowlers Hasan Ali, Khurram Shehzad, and Mir Hamza over Mohammad Abbas for the upcoming three-match Test series against Australia, scheduled to begin on December 14.
During a media conference yesterday while announcing the 18-member squad for the aforementioned series, Wahab highlighted the importance of experience in the squad, citing Hasan Ali's seasoned prowess as a crucial factor. He emphasized the need for a player of Hasan's character to anchor the relatively inexperienced side.
“Hasan Ali is an experienced bowler and we need a character of his like to stay with the team because it is otherwise an inexperienced side. He has performed well in county too so I am sure he will do justice to his selection. Mohammad Abbas is a good bowler and has done well in county cricket but we have kept in mind Australian conditions. There is more bounce and reverse there and hence, Hasan would do better there,” Wahab said.
The Chief Selector also highlighted the selectors' commitment to recognizing performers in red-ball cricket at the domestic level. Khurram Shehzad's impressive three-year performance, including being the top wicket-taker in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, secured his place in the squad.
“We want to give due respect to red-ball performers in domestic cricket. Khurram has done really well and improved in the past three years. He ended the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy as the highest wicket-taker. Mir Hamza is a very good left-arm bowler who does well with the new ball. We needed someone who could cover for Shaheen Shah Afridi, because he plays a lot of cricket as well and we wanted to cover all our bases,” he said.
It is worth nothing that the right-arm pacer, Mohammad Abbas, has played in 25 Test matches, securing 90 wickets with an average of 23.02 and an economy of 2.42. This impressive record encompasses four five-wicket hauls as well. His last Test appearance was against West Indies way back in 2021.
Pakistan squad for Australia Tests: Shan Masood (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Shah Afridi
Australia tour schedule:
.jpg)
