Pakistan brings back Hassan Ali in historic Test series against New Zealand

With few days left for the historic New Zealand series, Pakistan has named an uncapped middle-order batter Kamran Ghulam and fast bowler Hasan Ali in the 16-player squad for the two-Test series against New Zealand.

The series will commence on December 26 at Karachi’s National Bank Cricket Arena.

Kamran has taken over the role of Azhar Ali, who retired last week, while Hasan Ali has replaced Mohammad Ali, who, like Faheem Ashraf, has been advised to participate in the Pakistan Cup that is taking place in Karachi.

Due to his injury sustained while playing in the Rawalpindi Test, Haris Rauf was not selected for the team. Fast bowler Naseem Shah, who was banned for the Multan and Karachi Tests because of knee pain, has since been declared fit and has been retained in the squad.

Test squad:

Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shan Masood and Zahid Mehmood