Pakistan call up Haris Rauf for Tests against Australia; Shan Masood recalled

Pakistan have called up right-arm quick Haris Rauf, while opening batter Shan Masood, who played a Test in January 2021, has been recalled in the 16-member squad for the three home Tests against Australia. Offspinner Bilal Asif, who was part of the squad for the series against Bangladesh, has been dropped.

Rauf, who has played ODIs and T20Is for Pakistan but is uncapped in the longest format, was earlier called up for the Tests against South Africa and Zimbabwe in 2021 but did not debut. Masood meanwhile replaces Abid Ali, who is currently in rehabilitation after being diagnosed with a heart condition in December last year.

Pakistan have also named five reserves - Yasir Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah and Kamran Ghulam - for the Tests, which are set to begin in Rawalpindi from March 4.

According to a PCB release, the players named in the Test squad who are not involved in the ongoing season of PSL will assemble in National Stadium in Karachi on February 16 for a training camp.

"We have opted for consistency for the important home series against Australia and changes have only been made where absolutely necessary," chief selector Muhammad Wasim said. "This is to give the boys confidence, reward them for their impressive performances in the longer version of the game in 2021 and continue to build the side for the future.

"These are the best available, most talented and in-form players in the domestic circuit. I am confident they will put up an impressive performance against a formidable Australia side."

The second and the third Tests are scheduled to be played in Karachi from March 12 and in Lahore on March 21 respectively.

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Zahid Mahmood
Reserves: Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Yasir Shah