Australia has secured its sixth ICC Cricket World Cup title, and now the majority of attention from the Australian cricket team has turned towards a three-match Test series against Pakistan. The touring party from Pakistan is set, with new captain Shan Masood leading the squad after Babar Azam’s resignation. Here’s a detailed analysis of the Pakistan Test squad.
Shan Masood:
Shan Masood has not had a strong Test career so far, averaging under 30 in 30 Tests. However, his leadership abilities are highly regarded, having captained Yorkshire in County Cricket. He has shown impressive performance in Australia and has averaged over 28 overs per innings during Pakistan’s Test tour in 2019, despite facing formidable opponents. As the captain, Masood will need to convert his starts into substantial scores for Pakistan to be competitive in the series.
Salman Ali Agha:
Salman Ali Agha, a batting all-rounder, has had a promising start to his Test career, scoring two centuries and four half-centuries in nine matches. He bowls off-spin and will likely bat at number six for Pakistan, providing a break for the frontline bowlers. However, his lack of experience playing first-class matches outside of Asia could pose a challenge for him in Australian conditions.
Abrar Ahmed:
Abrar Ahmed is a mystery spinner with the ability to spin the ball both ways. While he has the potential to be a match-winner, touring Australia with limited experience and no exposure to first-class matches outside of Asia presents a daunting challenge for Ahmed.
Sarfaraz Ahmed:
Former Test captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has been recalled into the Pakistan Test XI and brings experience to the team. Known for his aggressive batting style, he has previously showcased his skills in Australia during Pakistan’s series loss in 2016-17.
Shaheen Afridi:
Shaheen Afridi, a left-arm seamer, has had a successful Test career and will be a key player in leading the Pakistan bowling attack. He will need to ensure he remains threatening throughout the match.
Hasan Ali:
Right-arm medium-fast bowler Hasan Ali, known for his bag of tricks, will be expected to step up in foreign conditions after a successful Test career for Pakistan.
The remainder of the squad includes players such as Nouman Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Mir Hamza, Imam Ul Haq, Aamer Jamal, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Mohammad Rizwan, Abdullah Shafique, and Khurram Shahzad, each of whom brings their own set of skills and experiences to the squad.
The upcoming Test series against Australia will provide a significant challenge for the Pakistan team, particularly in adjusting to the foreign conditions and competition from the Australian side. It will be vital for the Pakistan team to make a strong start in the series to remain competitive against their opponents.