LAHORE: The national selectors on Thursday recalled pacers Wahab Riaz and Mir Hamza as well as spinners Yasir Shah and Bilal Asif for the upcoming two-Test series against Australia.

However, Inzamam-ul-Haq and company, while announcing the 17-member squad, sprung a few surprises by omitting in-form opener Shan Masood and big-hearted pacer Junaid Khan who impressed with four wickets against Bangladesh in the crucial Asia Cup game on Wednesday that Pakistan lost.

Another surprise was recalling wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan for the series despite his ordinary record in international cricket including the one Test against New Zealand.

Out-of-form fast bowler Mohammad Amir was dropped from the squad after his below par show in the Asia Cup.

According to critics, however, the selectors could have delayed naming the squad to assess the performance of players in the four-day match against Australia, which commences in Dubai from Saturday.

“The national selection committee headed by Inzamam-ul-Haq after consultation with captain Sarfraz Ahmed and head coach Mickey Arthur has announced the 17-member Test squad for the two-match Test series against Australia,” a PCB press release issued late Thursday evening said.

“The team has been selected keeping in mind the conditions of the UAE. Mohammad Amir has been dropped from the side and Wahab Riaz and Mir Hamza come in the side. Three spinners Shahdab Khan, Yasir Shah and Bilal Asif have been kept in the squad keeping in view the UAE wickets. Furthermore, Mohammad Rizwan makes a comeback in the Test squad,” said chief selector Inzamam.

Squad:

Azhar Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Usman Salahuddin, Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Yasir Shah, Shadab Khan, Bilal Asif, Mohammad Abbas, Hasan Ali, Wahab Riaz, Faheem Ashraf, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan.

Published in Dawn, September 28th, 2018