Pakistan pair Hasan Ali and Faheem Ashraf ruled out of first Australia Test

Iftikhar Ahmed and Mohammad Wasim have been called up ahead of the series starting in Rawalpindi next week

Hasan Ali and Faheem Ashraf have become the latest injury casualties for Pakistan ahead of the first Test against Australia in Rawalpindi next week.

Local media are reporting both players picked up groin problems during the Pakistan Super League and have been withdrawn ahead of the match starting on March 4.

But it is hoped they will both recover in time for the second Test in Karachi (March 12-16), with the pair due to rejoin the main squad next week after completing a mandatory three-day isolation period.

Iftikhar Ahmed and Mohammad Wasim have been called-up as a result and will be clear to begin preparations for the rest of the group once they come through Covid-19 testing.

^{Iftikhar Ahmed (William West/AFP/Getty Images)}

They are the latest injuries to hit the squad after Mohammad Nawaz was ruled out last week.

Naseem Shah and Sarfaraz Ahmed were added to the squad but will only be considered for selection if there is further injury.

Australia have arrived in Pakistan for their first tour of the country for 24 years which sees them play three Tests, a trio of one-day internationals and a stand-alone T20.

Pakistan squad: 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, Zahid Mahmood

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