Pak vs Aus: Shan Masood tells why Sarfaraz given ‘rest’ for Boxing Day Test?

MELBOURNE: In view of the challenging Australian conditions, wicketkeeper-batter Sarfaraz Ahmed was given “rest” for the second match of the three-Test series against Australia, Pakistan captain Shan Masood clarified on Tuesday.

But while some on social media were seemingly unhappy with the decision, Masood said the decision was taken in line with the conditions of Australia.

“We choose Rizwan keeping in mind the conditions. Using the word ‘drop’ for Sarfaraz is a bit too harsh, we have rested him,” the captain told journalists at a media interaction session in Melbourne.

Masood, who has been recently appointed to lead the national side in the long format of the game after Babar Azam stepped down, said the veteran stumper would be picked once the conditions are viable for him.

"We think Rizwan is ready and we can give Sarfaraz a little bit of a break to recoup and come back," Masood told reporters.

"It was more of a tactical decision in terms of the conditions and getting the best out of each player in those conditions."

Noting that there was a need to improve, Masood said the batters would need to score faster as the team was playing around 100 overs. He also acknowledged that Test matches are harder for fast bowlers.

Pakistan have been hit hard by injuries since Perth with fast bowler Khurram Shahzad and their two leading spinners, Abrar Ahmed and Noman Ali, all ruled out of the Melbourne match.

They named a 12-man squad with Ahmed and speedster Faheem Ashraf axed.

Mohammad Nawaz will take the gloves, with Mir Hamza and Hasan Ali in contention for Shahzad’s place in the attack alongside veteran Shaheen Shah Afridi and impressive newcomer Aamer Jamal.

With Ahmed and Ali sidelined, Sajid Khan is their only spin option.

Australia XI: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Mitch Marsh, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins (capt), Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

Pakistan XII: Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (capt), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Agha Salman, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali, Mir Hamza, Aamer Jamal, Sajid Khan