CricketPakistan vs Australia: Naseem Shah Takes Place Of Haris Rauf
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Pakistan’s fast bowling unit will be put to the test after another fast bowler has been ruled out of the first Test against Australia.

The uncapped quick Haris Rauf has been tested positive for Covid-19. Substantially, it has given significant damage to Pakistan’s preparations for the first Test against Australia.

Rauf is a familiar name to many in the Australian team from past experiences in the Big Bash League. He will be isolated for five days and will miss the first Test of the three-game series, which begins on Friday in Rawalpindi.

After Rauf’s positive test on Tuesday, the remainder of the squad members and support employees were retested. All of these tests have turned out to be negative.

Naseem Shah has been called up to the Pakistan team for the opening Test against Australia after Haris Rauf’s unwanted exit from the team.

Travelling reserve Naseem Shah has taken his position in the team. This has been a setback in terms of the experience that Haris Rauf brings to the team.

On the other hand,  other quicks Hasan Ali and Faheem Ashraf will also miss the first Test due to injuries sustained during the recent Pakistan Super League event.

Mohammad Wasim Jr, a youngster, was earlier recruited into the squad and is in contention to join Shaheen Shah Afridi with the new ball. The middle-order hitter Iftikhar Ahmed may potentially be chosen if Pakistan wants to incorporate an extra spin option.

Pakistan has a reputation for grooming world-class quick bowlers. This is a young Pakistani team with many uncapped but talented players. Australia is an intimidating adversary of Pakistan and all these phenomena will make this match one of its kind – a historic series.

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (capt), Mohammad Rizwan (vice-capt), Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Zahid Mahmood

Australia’s tour of Pakistan:

March 4-8: First Test, Rawalpindi

March 12-16: Second Test, Karachi

March 21-25: Third Test, Lahore