Pakistan replaces Sarfaraz Ahmed with Rizwan for second Test
The final XI will be named tomorrow.
Pakistan replaces Sarfaraz Ahmed with Rizwan for the Five-day Boxing Day Test that will begin on December 26 (Tuesday) at Australia’s Melbourne Cricket Ground.
On Monday, the Pakistan Cricket Board Monday announced the 12-men squad for the second Test against Australia.
However, the playing XI will be named tomorrow before the match.
Boxing Day Test would be a tough test for injury-plagued Green Shirts in Melbourne.
Pakistan announce 12-man squad for second Test 🏏
The final XI will be named tomorrow.#AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/hZsky4cPcN— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) December 25, 2023
Pakistan’s 12-men squad:
Shan Masood (c), Shaheen Shah Afridi (vc), Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Muhammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Hasan Ali, Mir Hamza, Aamir Jamal, Sajid Khan
Following the announcement of the 12-men squad, Test captain Shan Masood, while speaking during a press conference, said that Sarfaraz Ahmed has made a great comeback after four years.
“However, Rizwan’s record was looking very good in this condition and considering that he was selected for the playing XI,” the captain added.
The 34-year-old test skipper said that “dropping” is not an appropriate word to use for Sarfaraz as he has been given some rest. “Sarfaraz will get a chance to play where the conditions are favourable for him,” he added.
Shan Masood said the the team will have to improve their batting, adding that the batters will have to play a bit fast as the team is playing 100 overs.
“Test cricket is difficult for fast bowlers,” Shan Masood added.
Meanwhile, Australia named an unchanged XI for the 5-day Boxing Day Test.
Australia XI
David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
