Sarfaraz dropped, Rizwan called up for Pakistan tour of Australia T20I, Test series

The T20I series will begin on Nov. 3 at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

LAHORE (Dunya News) – Cricket coach and chief selector of the Pakistan national cricket team Misbah-ul-Haq on Monday officially announced the names of team players who will perform in the upcoming tour to Australia in three T20 International and two Test matches.

The T20I series will begin on Nov. 3 at the Sydney Cricket Ground, followed by the next match at Manuka Oval on Nov. 5 and the final at Optus Stadium in Perth on Nov. 8.

Pakistan’s first series as part of the inaugural World Test Championship will be in Australia, where Pakistan will play in Brisbane (Nov. 21-25), followed by a day-night test in Adelaide (Nov. 29-Dec. 3).

During a press conference, Misbah announced that Muhammad Rizwan would be the wicket keeper in both series, whereas excluded Sarfaraz Ahmad from both formats of the game.

“Our aim is to move up the Test rankings and begin the Test Championship strong. There is a need to play a different brand of cricket, the balance of the squads is reflective of us having options to play aggressive, attacking cricket” said Misbah while announcing the squad.

The ex-skipper further stated that Sarfaraz could be reconsidered for his position in the team after he improves his form.

Importantly, Babar Azam has been named captain of the team for T20I series, whereas Azhar Ali will perform captaincy in tricky Test matches against Australia.

Uncapped prolific opener Abid Ali and experienced left-arm spinner Kashif Bhatti were named in the squad, while middle-order batsman Iftikhar Ahmed and fast-bowler Imran Khan Senior were recalled for World Test Championship matches.

Musa Khan was also included in the T20I side along with uncapped middle-order batsman Khushdil Shah and wrist spinner Usman Qadir, and lanky fast bowler Mohammad Irfan made a comeback as well.

Hasan Ali was ruled out of the tour due to back injury while Shaheen Shah Afridi named only for Tests after injury comeback

T20 squad: Babar Azam (captain), Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Muhamad Amir, Muhammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan, Muhammad Rizwan, Musa Khan, Shadab Khan, Usman Qadir, and Wahab Riaz.

Test squad: Azhar Ali (captain), Abid Ali, Asad Shafique, Babar Azam, Haris Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq, Imran Khan Sr, Iftikhar Ahmed, Kashif Bhatti, Muhammad Abbas, Muhammad Rizwan, Musa Khan, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, and Yasir Shah.