Pakistan blow with Hasan, Ashraf ruled out of first Test

Pakistan fast bowler Hasan Ali and allrounder Faheem Ashraf have been ruled out of Friday's first Test against Australia due to injuries.

Hasan has a muscle strain and Ashraf an injured hamstring, both picked up during the Pakistan Super League that concluded overnight, and will miss the Test starting in Rawalpindi from Friday.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said spinning allrounder Iftikhar Ahmed and fast bowler Mohammad Wasim will replace the injured duo.

"Both Iftikhar and Wasim (chosen due to their all-round ability) will reach Islamabad tonight and start their three-day isolation at the team hotel," said a PCB release.

The pair will join the rest of the squad after clearing Covid tests.

Hasan, 27, has been anchoring Pakistan's bowling attack along with Shaheen Shah Afridi in the past 12 months.

He took a ten-wicket haul in the last Test in Rawalpindi, against South Africa in February, before taking nine wickets in Harare against Zimbabwe two months later.

He finished the year with 41 wickets in eight Tests, just behind India's Ravi Ashwin (54) and Shaheen (47). 

Hasan's absence increases the chances of a Test debut for Haris Rauf, the Melbourne Stars speedster who was a surprise selection in the Test squad with only four first-class matches to his name.  

Ashraf has been a star with both bat and ball, allowing Pakistan to use two spinners in matches.

Pakistan are hopeful Hasan and Ashraf would regain fitness ahead of the second Test in Karachi starting from March 12.

The third and final Test is in Lahore from March 21.

Australia will also play three one-day internationals and a T20I on the tour.

Qantas Tour of Pakistan 2022

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (vc), Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Wasim, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Zahid Mahmood. Reserves: Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Mohammad Haris

Australia Test squad: Pat Cummins (c), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc, Mark Steketee, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner. On standby: Sean Abbott, Brendan Doggett, Nic Maddinson, Matthew Renshaw

March 4-8: First Test, Rawalpindi

March 12-16: Second Test, Karachi

March 21-25: Third Test, Lahore

Australia ODI and T20 squad: Aaron Finch (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Alex Carey, Nathan Ellis, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Marnus Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh, Ben McDermott, Kane Richardson, Steve Smith, Marcus Stoinis, Adam Zampa

March 29: First ODI, Rawalpindi

March 31: Second ODI, Rawalpindi

April 2: Third ODI, Rawalpindi

April 5: Only T20I, Rawalpindi

All matches to be broadcast in Australia on Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports