Pakistan aim to move up the Test rankings, says Misbah-Ul-Haq

The last few weeks have been very eventful for Pakistan cricket as they saw their skipper Sarfraz Ahmed sacked and also witnessed a drastic change in their domestic format. Among all these dynamics, chief selector cum head coach Misbah ul Haq declared the teams for the Australia tour this Sunday (October 20).

Fed up with the senior players of the team, Misbah has turned to the youngsters for results. While uncapped opener Abid Ali was roped in for the World Test championships, middle-order batsman Khushdil Shah and wrist spinner Usman Qadir have been called up for the T20Is. Middle-order batsman Iftikhar Ahmed and fast-bowler Imran Khan Senior were recalled for Test matches along with experienced left-arm spinner Kashif Bhatti and Shaheen Shah Afridi who is coming back after an injury. 

Mohammed Rizwan will replace former skipper Sarfraz Ahmed in the team as Musa Khan and lanky fast bowler Mohammad Irfan make their comeback into the T20 side. Unfortunately, young Hasan Ali will miss the tournament as he is suffering from a back injury. Explaining the move, Misbah said that Pakistan aim to move up the Test rankings.

“Our aim is to move up the Test rankings and begin the Test Championship strong. There is a need to play a different brand of cricket, the balance of the squads is reflective of us having options to play aggressive, attacking cricket,” thenews.com.pk quoted Misbah saying so while announcing the squad.

Speaking on the decision to leave out Sarfaraz, Misbah said, "We have always backed Sarfaraz and he is a good enough player and has performed for the country. The doors are open for Sarfaraz and everyone else to regain form in the domestic cricket and comeback."