Pakistan, under newly appointed red-ball captain Shan Masood, will play three Tests on the tour, in Perth (December 14-18), Melbourne (December 26-30) and Sydney (December 3-7). January).

Ayub, 21, has already played eight T20Is for Pakistan and comes into the Test team with 1069 first-class runs at an average of 46.47, including scores of 203 and 109 in his most recent game in October, the Quaid- Final of the e-Azam Trophy. Shahzad has also been picked for his form as he finished the 2023-24 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy as their highest wicket-taker with 36 at an average of 20.30.

Goalkeepers Sarfaraz Ahmed and Mohammad Rizwan were part of the team, and Sarfaraz was understood to be the first choice. He replaced Rizwan in the Test team last year and has retained his place in the last four Tests across two series.

The selection of Abrar Ahmed further cements his place as Pakistan’s leading red-ball bowler, with Noman Ali chosen as his back-up option. Spin options across formats have come under intense scrutiny in Pakistan, where players Shadab Khan and Usama Mir put up disappointing performances during the World Cup. Abrar went to the World Cup as a substitute, but was not called up to the main team.

Pakistan have an unenviable record in Australia, having lost their last 14 Test matches there.

Pakistan squad for Australia Test series: Shan Masood (captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Agha Salman, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi