Pakistan name unchange squad for Australia Tests

Pakistan name unchanged squad for Australia Tests

Pakistan have named an unchanged 16-man squad for the forthcoming Test series against Australia. Flamboyant opener Sharjeel Khan, who was included for the two Tests against New Zealand but didn't feature in the playing XI in either game, has been retained.

Noteable omissions from the squad include Mohammad Hafeez, who was considered for selection but wasn't included in the squad. Hafeez still hasn't been cleared by the International cricket council to bowl after he underwent a test in Brisbane earlier this month.

This first Test will also see Misbah back leading the squad after he missed the second Test against New Zealand due to the demise of his father in law and a one-match ban handed to him for slow over rate in the first game. Pakistan will need Misbah's experience as they start their tour in Brisbane with a day-night Test before heading to Melbourne and Sydney for the remaining two Tests.

Kamran Akmal, who made a case for himself and has amassed 826 runs from seven games at an average of 82.60, wasn't included in the squad as the selectors decided to stick with Sarfaraz Ahmed as the preferred wicketkeeper.

Squad: Azhar Ali, Sami Aslam, Sharjeel Khan, Asad Shafiq, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Babar Azam, Sarfraz Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Nawaz, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz, Sohail Khan, Rahat Ali, Imran Khan.