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Rookie spinner Yasir Shah in preliminary squad

Replacing suspended Saeed Ajmal, Shah, was one of the leading wicket-takers in the domestic season last year, with 48 scalps.

Pakistan Cricket Board XI’s Yasir Shah celebrates a wicket with his teammates. — AFP file

Dubai: Pakistan on Tuesday named uncapped leg-spinner Yasir Shah to replace the suspended Saeed Ajmal in their preliminary 19-man squad for the two Tests against Australia starting next week in the UAE.

Shah, who hails from Swabi, was one of the leading wicket-takers in the domestic season last year, with 48 scalps. Moin Khan, while talking to Khaleej Times, said: “Shah is one of the top performers at the domestic level and can do well against Australia.

“We have announced probables and after four-day match in Sharjah we will be able to assess the performances of the players.

“Pakistan have been hit hard by injuries to Junaid Khan and Wahab Riaz but we have got pool of players to choose from.

“We expect a better performance from our players in the Tests and practice match is a good opportunity for the youngsters to show their talent.”

The first Test begins in Dubai on October 22 and the second in Abu Dhabi on October 30.

Pakistan face a tough challenge to replace Ajmal, who has single-handedly anchored the team’s wins across all three formats over the last five years. Yasir, a cousin to fast-bowler Junaid, is a fast-emerging spinner on domestic level. Left-arm spinners Zulfiqar Babar and Raza Hassan — who both played in the 3-0 one-day series defeat against Australia in the UAE which finished on Sunday — are also in the preliminary squad.

Leg-spinner Abdur Rehman was omitted from preliminary squad. The player from Silakot had a forgettable tour of Sri Lanka in August where Pakistan lost both Tests.

Experienced batsman Younis Khan returns to the Test squad after being dropped for the one-day series against Australia.

“We will reduce the Test squad to 15 after the four-day practice match between Pakistan ‘A’ and Australia in Sharjah starting on Wednesday,” said Khan.

Two uncapped paceman, Imran Khan and Ataullah, who uses only one name, are also in the initial squad. Ataullah’s bowling action was reported in the national Twenty20 tournament but Khan said his action was cleared after adjustments. Misbah-ul-Haq will lead the Test side.

liaqat@khaleejtimes.com