LAHORE: Uncapped pace bowler Imran Khan, opener Taufiq Umar and experienced all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez were picked by national selectors on Saturday as they announced a 16-member squad for the two-Test series against Australia starting in Dubai on Oct 22.

The team was to be selected from 19 probables but the PCB took a long time to exclude three probables to announce the team late on Saturday.

Left-arm spinner Raza Hasan, who played a key role in Pakistan ‘A’ team’s 153-run victory against Australia in the four-day match in Sharjah on Saturday, however, failed to get the selectors’ nod.

Irfan not included to preserve him for World Cup

There are six changes to the squad, which toured Sri Lanka in August. The players missing out on selection are: Junaid Khan and Wahab Riaz on injuries grounds, Saeed Ajmal is (currently) banned by the ICC over his bowling action, and Umar Akmal, Khurram Manzoor and Abdur Rehman were axed for unimpressive performances.

The squad includes four openers — Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Taufiq Umar (making a comeback after a long time) and young Shan Masood.

Hafeez was also recalled into the Test team.

In the middle-order, veteran Younis Khan, captain Misbah-ul-Haq, Asad Shafiq and young Haris Sohail, who both hit centuries against Australia in the Sharjah practice match, have also been picked to strengthen the batting line-up that has remained brittle over the years.

Left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar and leg-spinner Yasir Shah are the specialist spinners named in the Test party.

The inexperienced looking pace bowling attack is headed by Mohammad Talha, Rahat Ali, Ehsan Adil and uncapped Imran Khan. Sarfraz Ahmed is included as wicket-keeper.

Born in Lower Dir, the 27-year-old Imran Khan has so far played 65 first-class matches on Pakistan domestic circuit taking 257 wickets at an impressive average of 22.17. The right-armer was also part of Peshawar Panthers side that won the National T20 Cup title for the first time in Karachi last month.

The squad for the first Test contains eight players that represented Pakistan ‘A’ in the Sharjah four-dayer.

Meanwhile, according to a PCB press release, chief selector Moin Khan said: “The side has been picked in consultation with captain Misbah-ul-Haq and head coach Waqar Younis, and there is complete agreement that these are the 16 best available players to represent Pakistan in the first Test against a formidable second-ranked Australia side.

“A nice blend of experience and youth, the squad has been selected keeping in mind the 2015 World Cup. While the series will provide an excellent opportunity to the youngsters to test and hone their skills at the highest level against a highly competitive Australia side, it will also provide a good chance to our experienced players to return to their best form.

“Openers Taufeeq Umar and Mohammad Hafeez have been recalled due to their experience. Hafeez has been recalled as he is an experienced player. Then, in the absence of Saeed Ajmal, Hafeez gives the captain an extra spin option,” the press release added.

“Four openers have been included in the side as the tour selection committee has not finalised combination for the first Test. As soon as the combination is finalised, openers not part of the Test will be released so that they can return to Pakistan and participate in domestic cricket.

“The bowling is relatively inexperienced due to the non-availability of Junaid, Wahab and Saeed. But this is an opportunity for the likes of Imran, Rahat, Ehsan, Talha and Zulfiqar to prove their mettle against some of the best,” it added.

On not including lanky paceman Mohammad Irfan, the PCB press release quoted Moin as saying: “The selectors had considered Irfan but decided not to include him in order to preserve him as we need to carefully manage his workload with the World Cup just four months away. The selectors believe he will be a formidable force on the hard and bouncy Australia pitches.”

Squad:

Ahmed Shehzad, Mohammad Hafeez, Taufiq Umar, Shan Masood, Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Younis Khan, Azhar Ali, Sarfraz Ahmed (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Talha, Rahat Ali, Imran Khan, Ehsan Adil, Zulfiqar Babar, Yasir Shah.

Published in Dawn, October 19th, 2014