Pakistan celebrate after beating Australia by 221 runs in the first Test

Image courtesy of: ESPNcricinfo

Pakistan have retained the same squad for the second Test against Australia after they triumphed by 221 runs in the first Test in Dubai.

Chief selector Moin Khan stated that the team had performed well in the first Test and that none of the players deserved to be dropped.

“The selectors are encouraged and delighted with the performance of the Pakistan side in the first Test and a lot of credit must be given to Younis Khan, who utilised all his knowledge and experience to score two centuries in the Dubai Test,” Khan said.

However, Khan added that Pakistan have to be careful in the second Test since Australia will be looking to gain retribution.

“Coach Waqar Younis has been emphasizing on staying focused and this is the best advice he has given to his players at this stage,” Khan said. “Australia is a dangerous side and has all the potential to bounce back, and, as such, we need to avoid complacency and being over-confident.

“There is an added incentive for the players in Abu Dhabi. If they win, then they will jump to third behind South Africa and Australia in the ICC Test Rankings. This will be Pakistan’s highest ranking for some time. But, this will not come easy and we will have to play really hard and well to earn it.”

Pakistan squad: Misbah-ul Haq (captain), Ahmed Shehzad, Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Ehsan Adil, Haris Sohail, Imran Khan, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Talha, Rahat Ali, Sarfraz Ahmed, Shan Masood, Taufeeq Umar, Yasir Shah, Younis Khan, Zulfiqar Babar