Pakistan have announced their 15-member squad for the first Test match of the upcoming 2-match Test series against New Zealand. Pakistan captain Babar Azam who is yet to fully recover from the thumb injury he sustained during the training sessions has been ruled out of the first Test match of this series.
Wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan has been entrusted with the responsibility of leading their Test side in the first Test match. He will become 33rd captain to lead Pakistan in this format of the game. Babar also missed the 3-match T20I series and Shadab Khan led their T20I side in his absence. On the other hand, Imam-ul-Haq who was also injured during the training sessions has also been ruled out of the first Test match against New Zealand which begins on Boxing Day at Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui.
“Contrary to the T20I side, the Test side appears to be pretty organized and we boast some experienced cricketers, both in batting and bowling departments. With some competitive cricket on the tour now under the belt, I am hoping we will be a better outfit in the longer version of the game,” said Misbah-ul-Haq, head coach of Pakistan.
“Although it will be nearly two weeks to Babar’s injury when the first Test starts, it will be hard on him and the team to play him without any net sessions. I remain confident and optimistic that other players will rise to the occasion in Mount Maunganui and use the opportunity to rise to the occasion and put the disappointment of the T20I series behind them,” added Misbah.
Pakistan had already lost the 3-match T20I series to New Zealand and are hoping to make a turnaround in the longer format of the game. The inclusion of experienced players like Azhar Ali, Mohammad Abbas and Yasir Shah should motivate them in the Test series.
The first Test match of the series would be played at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui beginning from Dec 26 while the second Test match would be played at Hagley Oval in Christchurch from Jan 03.
Pakistan squad for New Zealand Tests: Mohammad Rizwan (captain for 1st Test), Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Haris Sohail, Imran Butt, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Shan Masood, Sohail Khan and Yasir Shah.
0 Comments