Pakistan include five uncapped players in Test squad

Cricket365
April 15, 2018

Pakistan included five uncapped players in their Test squad for the upcoming tour to Ireland and England.

Batsmen Fakhar Zaman, 28, and Imam-ul-Haq, 22, Usman Salahuddin and Saad Ali have found a place in the 16-man squad while the other uncapped player is allrounder Faheem Ashraf.

Pakistan suffered a big blow when leg-spinner Yasir Shah was ruled out due to injury with 19-year-old Shadab Khan, who has only played in one Test, expected to carry the slow-bowling burden.

Chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq said: “Yasir’s absence is a big loss for us. If we look at his numbers for the last two years, he has more wickets than any other bowler for Pakistan.

“He was our strike bowler, all the games we’ve won he played a big part in.

“I hope he recovers quickly from his injury because we have some big home Test series coming up after this series too, and we will need him in the UAE.”

Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Abbas, Hasan Ali and Rahat Ali were four pace bowlers selected with left-arm quick Wahab Riaz left out after coach Mickey Arthur questioned his work ethic.

ALSO READ: Arthur questions Wahab’s work ethic

Pakistan will a Test against Ireland, which will the European side’s first ever game in the longest format, in Malahide from 11-15 May.

The Asian side will then travel to England to play two Tests, at Lord’s (May 24-28) and Headingley (June 1-5).

Pakistan Test squad: Sarfraz Ahmed (capt & wk), Azhar Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Sami Aslam, Haris Sohail, Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Saad Ali, Asad Shafiq, Usman Salahuddin, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Abbas, Hasan Ali,Rahat Ali, Faheem Ashraf