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Pakistan have left star leg-spinner Yasir Shah out of their 15-man squad to take on Australia in the upcoming Test series.
The home side have named a new-look squad for the three-Test series, with just two players – captain Babar Azam and veteran batter Azhar Ali – from Pakistan’s last Test victory over Australia, in Abu Dhabi in late 2018, a chance of adding to their international caps.
A regular member of Pakistan’s best XI since making his debut against Australia in the UAE in 2014, Yasir boasts an impressive bowling average of 25.25 against the Aussies in the spin-friendly conditions of the Emirates.
He also struck a stunning century from number eight in Pakistan’s innings defeat to Australia in their last Test, at the Adelaide Oval in late 2019.
Veteran Nauman Ali, who rose to become Pakistan’s premier spinner after making his Test debut in January 2021, has been named ahead of Yasir, as has inexperienced off-spinner Sajid Khan.
Yasir Shah celebrates after scoring a century against Australia at the Adelaide Oval. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz – CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)
Former Pakistan player turned commentator Bazid Khan told cricket.com.au the leg-spinner’s omission was down to a sharp recent dip in form.
“He was a threat in the UAE but once things have come back to Pakistan, it’s not been the same,” he said.
Bazid had high praise for both Nauman and Sajid, saying the pair’s different bowling styles make them a perfect partnership.
“They’re very accurate… Nauman Ali bowls pretty flat, almost like [Ravi] Jadeja, there or thereabouts. He’ll test you on the front foot.
“Sajid will get the ball to spin a bit more and bowl a bit slower.”
Also missing is accurate seam bowler Mohammad Abbas, despite boasting an outstanding Test average of just 23.02.
Like Yasir, he too has been a menace for Australia in past encounters, claiming 17 wickets in their two-Test series in the UAE back in 2018.
Among the quicks chosen instead are star left-armer Shaheen Shah Afridi, the experienced Hasan Ali and uncapped BBL star Haris Rauf.
Rauf shot to prominence for the Melbourne Stars in BBL09 and is now a chance to represent Pakistan in a third format, having already played 34 T20Is and eight ODIs for his country.
Pakistan’s full squad vs Australia
Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (vc), Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Zahid Mahmood.
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