Pakistan named fast bowler Haris Rauf in their 16-man squad for next month’s three-Test home series against Australia while recalling opening batter Shan Masood, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said onWednesday.
Rauf, who was also in the squad for South Africa and Zimbabwe Tests last year, has yet to play in the longest format and replaced off-spinner Bilal Asif from the group that won 2-0 in Bangladesh at the end of 2021.
He has played both 50-overs and Twenty20Is.
Masood played the last of his 25 Tests against New Zealand at the beginning of 2021 and came into the squad for Abid Ali, who is recuperating after surgery for a heart condition.
“We have opted for consistency for the important home series against Australia,” selection committee chief Muhammad Wasim said.
The PCB also announced that former off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq and retired Australian fast bowler Shaun Tait would continue as the team’s head coach and fast bowling coach respectively for another 12 months.
Australia will play in Pakistan for the first time in almost 25 years with the first Test scheduled to begin in Rawalpindi from March 4.