Pakistan enlist Haris Rauf and Shan Masood for Australia Tests

The playing XI will be drawn from a 16-strong group, with five reserves in support, for the three-Test series in Rawalpindi, Karachi and Lahore

Haris Rauf and Shan Masood have been included in Pakistan’s squad ahead of the three-Test series against Australia in March.

Right-arm fast bowler Rauf, 28, is uncapped in the five-day format but was part of the squad for the South Africa and Zimbabwe Tests.

Meanwhile, Masood, 32, features for the first time since Pakistan’s tour to New Zealand in 2020/21 and looks to add to his 25 Test caps.

Chief selector Muhammad Wasim said: “These are the best available, most talented and in-form players in the domestic circuit.

"I am confident they will put up an impressive performance against a formidable Australia side.

"We have opted for consistency for the important home series against Australia and changes have only been made where absolutely necessary.

^{Abid Al remains sidelined (Munir Uz Zaman/Getty Images)}

"This is to give the boys confidence, reward them for their impressive performances in the longer version of the game in 2021 and continue to build the side for the future."

Off-spinner Bilal Asif is omitted while Masood comes in for Abid Ali, who is completing rehabilitation following a diagnosis of Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Masood has been in electric form in the PSL this year, sitting in second place for runs scored after hitting 275 runs in five innings for unbeaten Multan Sultans.

With seven wickets in five games, Rauf has taken the fourth most of the tournament, tied with Shaheen Shah Afridi, his Pakistan and Lahore Qalandars teammate.

Pakistan’s 16-man squad: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (vc), Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Zahid Mahmood

Reserves: Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Yasir Shah

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