Faisal Iqbal played last Test against Australia in Sydney in January 2010
Almost forgotten batsman Faisal Iqbal on Friday got the chance to resurrect his career after PCB selectors picked him for the upcoming Test series in South Africa.
The 31-year-old middle-order had played last of his 26 Tests against Australia in Sydney in January 2010 and was sidelined from the squad following string of miserable run. However he retrieved the faith of selectors with impressive performance in the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.
Wicketkeeper batsman Sarfraz Ahmed, who also played his only Test in the same Australia tour, has also found his name in list. Sarfraz’s inclusion means gloveman Kamran Akmal, who hasn’t played a Test since England tour in 2010, will have to wait for another opportunity to return to five-day cricket.
Uncapped at Test level, seven-foot-tall pacer Mohammad Irfan will make his Test debut alongside 19-year-old counterpart Ehsan Adil, who has not featured Pakistan in any format yet.
Swashbuckling opening batsman Nasir Jamashed, who hit back-to-back centuries in the recently concluded ODI series against India and Haris Sohail, who is yet to make his international debut, will also make their entries in highest level of sport.
Asad Shafiq, who missed the recent India tour due to a finger injury, has completed his recovery and is back in national setup.
Pakistan are due to play three Tests, two T20s and five ODIs in South Africa in seven-week long tour.
The first Test between the countries will get underway with in Johannesburg from February 1. The next two Tests are scheduled in Cape Town (Feb 14-18) and Centurion (Feb 22-26).
The squad for limited-over series will be announced later.
Pakistan Test squad:
Misbah-ul-Haq (Captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Nasir Jamshed, Umar Gul, Asad Shafiq, Younis Khan, Ehsan Adil, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Mohammad Irfan, Taufeeq Umar, Azhar Ali, Saeed Ajmal, Adbur Rehman, Haris Sohail, Junaid Khan, Faisal Iqbal,
