Australia tour to Pakistan: Full-strength squad named for historic visit

Australia have named a full-strength squad for their historic Test series in Pakistan, which is set to begin on March 4.

There have been some suggestions that a few members of the playing squad could opt out over security reasons.

However, as per the announcement on Tuesday morning, no Test players have pulled out of Australia’s first Test series in Pakistan since Mark Taylor’s side toured there in 1998.

Fast bowler Josh Hazlewood makes his expected return, whilst left-arm spinner Ashton Agar is the only new face in the squad from the one that won the recent Ashes series.

The first Test takes place in Rawalpindi, which would also be Australia’s first match away since the outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic.

Their previous overseas Test series was the 2019 Ashes on English soil.

It will also be the first Test since the resignation of coach Justin Langer.

Pakistan hosted no international cricket for six years in the aftermath of the attack on the touring Sri Lanka team in 2009.

New Zealand were also scheduled to tour the country last October, but withdrew over security fears.

Back to Australia’s tour – three one-day internationals and a single T20 will follow the Test series.

Australia Test squad: Pat Cummins (c), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey (wk), Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis (wk), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Michael Neser, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner