Pakistan have added middle-order batsman Iftikhar Ahmed and fast bowler Mohammad Wasim Jr to their squad for the first Test against Australia. The two will replace Faheem Ashraf and Hasan Ali who have been ruled out of the Rawalpindi Test due to injuries.
Iftikhar and Wasim Jr will join the team’s preparatory camp in Islamabad after a three-day hotel isolation and testing negative in COVID-19 tests. Despite being sidelined for the opening game of the three-Test series, Hasan and Ashraf are expected to regain match fitness for the second Test in Karachi.
“Faheem and Hasan will rejoin the squad in the coming week and, after completing their three-day mandatory isolation, integrate with the rest of the squad during the first Test,” said PCB in their official statement.
“Iftikhar and Wasim (chosen due to their all-round ability) will reach Islamabad tonight and start their three-day isolation at the team hotel, after which they will join the rest of the squad after clearing Covid tests,” the statement added.
Pakistan squad for first Australia Test:
Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (vc), Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, and Zahid Mahmood
PAK vs AUS Test schedule:
- 1st Test: March 4-8 in Rawalpindi
- 2nd Test: March 12-16 in Karachi
- 3rd Test: March 21-25 in Lahore