Pakistan’s Mohammad Nawaz has been ruled out of the upcoming three-match Test series against Australia due to a leg injury. The hosts have not sought a replacement for the left-arm spin-all-rounder. The PCB has announced the updated team. The much-awaited Test series against Australia will begin in Rawalpindi from March 4. This will be the first time in 24 years that an Australian team will play in Pakistan.
The PCB said in a statement that Naseem Shah and Sarfaraz Ahmed have been included in the team as travel reserves. If a player has to face any problem like injury, then only these two will be considered for selection. Mohammad Haris has been included in the list of reserve players. However, along with Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Abbas and Yasir Shah, he has been advised to participate in the Pakistan Cup, starting March 2. If needed, they can be taken in the team. The three-Test series will be played in Karachi, Rawalpindi and Lahore.
Pakistan’s 15-member team
Babar Azam (Captain), Mohammad Rizwan (Vice-Captain), Abdullah Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, and Zahid Mahmood.
Australia’s team squad
Pat Cummins, Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Michael Neser, Steve Smith (vc) , Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson and David Warner.
The first Test match will start on March 4 in Rawalpindi. After this, the second Test match will start in Karachi from March 12. The third and final Test match will start in Lahore from March 21.
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Former Pakistan captain Wasim Akram termed the much-awaited Australia tour as an achievement for the PCB. He feels the three-Test series against Australia should give his players an understanding of the conditions ahead of the tour of England and New Zealand.
Cricket Australia has approved the men’s team to tour Pakistan for the first time in 24 years. Although many expected the trip across formats to be canceled, the Australian board expressed confidence in the safety measures. The series will begin on March 4, with Rawalpindi hosting the first Test.
In a PCB podcast, Akram said that Australia coming to Pakistan after 24 years is an achievement for the Pakistan Cricket Board. This series will have a huge impact on our cricket as it will improve the attitude and mindset of our players. Akram also said that it will also inspire the next generation of players to love the game and go higher in their careers. Australia's tour of Pakistan will send a powerful message. Everything is fine and normal here.
It is worth noting that last year the teams of New Zealand and England had refused to play on the tour of Pakistan due to security reasons. The Kiwi team had come back after going there.
Due to this the Pakistan Cricket Board also suffered. From there there were speculations that Australia’s team would also cancel the tour but Cricket Australia has decided to play after taking security stock.
It is a big deal for Australia to come to Pakistan after more than two decades. This will motivate other teams to go there and play. Recently the West Indies team toured Pakistan.
