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Pakistan announce 19-man squad for Test series against West Indies
NEWS
Follow UsHaris Rauf and Mohammad Nawaz, who were part of the T20I series have been released
Pakistan have announced a 19-man squad for their upcoming Test series against West Indies. The squad was announced by Pakistan captain Babar Azam during the pre-season media conference.
Keeping in mind the well-being of the players, Pakistan have released Haris Rauf and Mohammad Nawaz from the team, who will go back home and prepare for the series against Afghanistan. The duo were part of the four-match T20 International (T20I) series, which Pakistan won 1-0.
“Looking at the likely team composition for the two Tests and giving preference to wellbeing of the players, it has been agreed to release Haris Rauf and Mohammad Nawaz so that they can return to Pakistan and spend quality time with their families. This will also give them a few extra days to relax, regroup and recharge for the commitment ahead, which commence with the series against Afghanistan," Babar said.
“The past 12 months have been tough and the cricket that lays ahead is equally challenging and demanding. As such, we need to have as many fresh bodies as practically possible without comprising on the team results and performances," he added.
Babar also acknowledged that it will be a challenge for their batsmen in Jamaica and they are up for it. “Jamaican pitches provide a good challenge to the batters hence our batters need to come to the party and display their true potential and calibre in the two Tests. They have performed well this year and it is now time to take that confidence into the Test series and put up an improved and enhanced performance," the Pakistan captain said.
Pakistan, led by Misbah-ul-Haq, won their first-ever Test series in the Caribbean in 2017 and he now returns as the head coach of the team.
The two-Test series at Sabina Park, starting Thursday (August 12) will be part of the World Test Championship (WTC) Cycle 2021-23.
Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (vc & wk), Abdullah Shafique, Abid Ali, Azhar Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Hasan Ali, Imran Butt, Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Yasir Shah, and Zahid Mahmood