PAK vs AUS: Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Wasim Jnr added to squad for first Test

Pakistan have added Iftikhar Ahmed and Mohammad Wasim jnr into the squad for the first Test against Australia, starting from March 4 in Rawalpindi. The additions come after the team dealt blows with exits of Faheem Ashraf (groin injury) and Hasan Ali (adductor strain).

However, both Ashraf and Hasan, who were members of the Islamabad United at the just concluded Pakistan Super League 2022, are likely to regain fitness before the second rubber in Karachi from March 12.

Meanwhile, Iftikhar and Wasim will both be under three-day quarantine at the team hotel upon touching down in Islamabad, following which they will enter the team bubble. While both of them are promising players, the duo has got big boots to fill given the significance of Ashraf and Hasan in Pakistan’s Test side.

Ashraf, the seam-bowling all-rounder, has made a strong case for becoming a regular red-ball unit member over the last year in the eight Tests he played, while Hasan Ali had a record 2021, ending with 41 wickets in as many fixtures to end up as third-leading wicket-taker in the format in the year.

“Faheem and Hasan will rejoin the squad in the coming week and, after completing their three-day mandatory isolation, integrate with the rest of the squad during the first Test. Both are expected to regain full fitness before the second Test that will be played in Karachi 12-16 March,” the PCB said.

“Both Iftikhar and Wasim (chosen due to their all-round ability) will reach Islamabad tonight and start their three-day isolation at the team hotel, after which they will join the rest of the squad after clearing Covid tests.”

Australia’s tour, their first to the Asian country after Mark Taylor’s team in 1998, comprises of three Tests, followed by as many ODIs and a one-off T20I, with the tour scheduled to end on April 4.

Pakistan updated squad for first Australia Test

Babar Azam (C), Mohammad Rizwan (VC), Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, and Zahid Mahmood

Test tour schedule:

4-8 March – 1st Test, Rawalpindi

12-16 March – 2nd Test, Karachi

21-25 March – 3rd Test, Lahore