Pakistan has appointed its star speedster Shaheen Shah Afridi as vice-captain of the Test team for the series against Australia on the eve of the first Test in Perth. Two cricketing giants will go head-to-head in Perth on Thursday, a clash that will continue Pakistan's 28-year chase for their first Test victory on Australian soil. Shaheen, who has been appointed as T20I skipper of the 'Men in Green', will now serve as deputy to newly crowned skipper Shan Masood after Babar Azam decided to step down as captain in all formats. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has released an official statement to announce Shaheen as vice-captain for the Test series. “Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has been appointed vice-captain of the Pakistan Test Team for the series against Australia,” a PCB statement said.
Shaheen has played 27 Tests in which he has managed to register 105 wickets at an economy of 3.08.
In the absence of Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf, he will lead the pace bowling attack and will be supported by Faheem Ashraff.
Additionally, Masood's maiden Test outing as skipper has seen a plethora of changes in the squad, with all-rounder Aamir Jamal and right-arm pacer Khurram Shahzad set to make their Test debuts.
Jamal made his international debut for Pakistan in 2022 against England and also represented the Men in Green at the 19th Asian Games. On the other hand, the Perth Test will mark Khurram's first appearance for his country.
In addition to signing two new faces, some players are returning to the mix after missing a year of red-ball action.
Faheem Ashraf returns to don the white jersey while veteran wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed remains Pakistan's first choice, leaving Mohammed Rizwan waiting for a role behind the stumps.
Pakistan will play XI against Australia: Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi, Aamir Jamal and Khurram Shahzad.
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