Pakistan Name Twelve for Second Test Against Australia at MCG

Pakistan Cricket team announced a twelve-player squad for the upcoming Second Test match against Australia scheduled to take place at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) from December 26 to 30. The final eleven will be unveiled tomorrow ahead of the match.

The declared twelve includes:

1. Imam-ul-Haq

2. Abdullah Shafique

3. Shan Masood – (Captain)

4. Babar Azam

5. Saud Shakeel

6. Mohammad Rizwan – (Wicketkeeper)

7. Salman Ali Agha

8. Shaheen Afridi – (Vice-Captain)

9. Hassan Ali

10. Mir Hamza

11. Aamir Jamal

12. Sajid Khan

This second Test is part of the Qadir-Benaud Trophy series, where Pakistan faced a significant defeat in the first match, succumbing to a 360-run loss against Australia.

Injuries continue to plague the Pakistani side, with Khurram Shahzad and Noman Ali ruled out of the series due to ongoing fitness issues. Meanwhile, spinner Abrar Ahmed, despite making strides in his recovery, remains below peak fitness.

Of the named twelve, the confirmed change sees wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan replacing former captain Sarfraz Ahmed in this Test. The selection also includes fast bowlers Hasan Ali and Mir Hamza, along with off-spinner Sajid Khan. Two among these three cricketers are anticipated to step in for Faheem Ashraf and Khurram Shahzad in the final playing eleven.

The Pakistan team is gearing up to finalize the squad, aiming for a turnaround after the disappointing outcome of the initial match in the series.