Pakistan’s newly appointed Test captain Shan Masood has revealed the team’s batting order strategy for the visit to Australia. The Men in Green will aim to build a good team and focus on performing well in the 2023-2025 World Test Championship cycle.
A lot has changed since Pakistan pulled out of the ODI World Cup. Babar Azam resigned from his leadership position following the team’s poor performance in the main event. Pakistan appointed Shan Masood as Test skipper and a new coaching staff was brought in after the old one left.
In the pre-match press conference, Shan Masood emphasized the stability of the Test team. He particularly mentioned the opening pair of Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafiq who are preparing for the Test series against Australia. Masood also praised Babar Azam’s outstanding performance in securing fourth place in the Pakistan team and expressed excitement over Saim Ayub’s participation in the longer format of the match.
“Our Test team was a well-coordinated unit. The opening duo of Imam-ul-Haq and Abdullah Shafiq have represented Pakistan for over a year. After Azhar Ali’s retirement, I mainly played third position in domestic and international cricket.These are the first three in our plan.”
“Babar Azam is our best batsman. No one could get in his way to bat at No. 4. We will build the team around the best batsman in the team. Ayub is an exciting prospect who has been recognized for his aggressive approach in domestic cricket.He will be given opportunities if required,” said Shan Masood.
The Test series against Australia is scheduled from December 14, 2023 to January 7, 2024, and the T20I series against New Zealand is scheduled from January 12 to 21, 2024. Pakistan are looking to prove their mettle in theODI World Cup. As 2023 comes to an end, preparations for upcoming ICC events begin.
Pakistan squad for Australia Test: Shan Masood (captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafiq, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam Ul.・Haq, Furram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan (Week), Mohammad Wasim Jr., Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (Week), Saud Shakir, Shaheen Shah・Afridi.
