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| Rizwan to replace Sarfaraz in Melbourne: AFP |
Pakistan has dropped wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfaraz Ahmed from the squad for the Boxing Day Test starting tomorrow in Melbourne. As a result, Mohammad Rizwan's return to the Test XI is only a matter of time. Meanwhile, Australia announced the unchanged XI for the second Test.
Injuries have hit Pakistan well since the big loss in Perth. Pacer Khurram Shehzad, two main spinners Abrar Ahmed and Noman Ali - none of the visitors are getting in this match. Sarfaraz and all-rounder Fahim Ashraf have been left out of the 12-member squad announced for this test.
Along with Shaheen Shah Afridi and Amer Jamal, Mir Hamza and Hasan Ali are pacers in this Test team. Pakistan played Jamal and Khurram along with Shaheen in the first Test. Jamal shone with 6 wickets in his debut innings. On the other hand, Sajid Khan is the only specialist spinner after Abrar and Noman were knocked out. However, Pakistan did not field any specialist spinners in Perth.
About bringing Rizwan in place of Sarfraz, captain Shan Masood said, 'We think we can give Sarfraz a break until Rizwan is ready and fit. It's really a tactical decision based on the conditions and what we can get from each player.'
Sarfaraz and Rizwan both played in Pakistan's last Test before the tour of Australia. Although Sarfraz had the responsibility of wicketkeeping in that Test in Sri Lanka. Although Sarfraz's record on Australian soil is not very favorable, Pakistan chose him for the first Test. But that decision has been taken according to the process, said Masud.
In the press conference, Masud said, 'Rizwan has just finished the World Cup and has played a lot of white ball cricket. And since Sarfraz took charge in the New Zealand series, he (Rizwan) has also had a red-ball break. Sarfaraz's performance was excellent and Rizwan didn't play much with the red ball. So there is a method here.' He then added, 'If I had it in my hands, I would have played both. But that is not possible. Now we feel Rizwan is ready.'
Meanwhile, Scott Boland, who took 6 for 7 at the MCG in 2021, is not getting a chance as Australia announced an unchanged XI. "We are huge supporters of Scotty, I don't think it's something to hide," said captain Cummins in reference to Victoria's A pacer. He is ready to come down if anything happens, so I am sure he will play at some stage.''
Australia XI
David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuchen, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (captain), Nathan Lyon and Josh Hazlewood
Pakistan team
Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafiq, Shan Masood (captain), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Agha Salman, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali, Mir Hamza, Amer Jamal and Sajid Khan.
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