Pakistan recall Taufeeq Umar, Mohammad Hafeez and name three

[mudasserullah]

Pakistan recalled opening batsmen Taufeeq Umar and Mohammad Hafeez and named three uncapped players for the 16-man squad for two-Test series against Australia in United Arab Emirates.

The 33-year-old Umar has played 43 tests, but the left-hander last competed for his country against Sri Lanka in 2012.

The first of two tests starts Wednesday in Dubai where Hafeez is also likely to make a comeback after being ignored for the August series against Sri Lanka.

Batsman, Haris Sohail, pace bowler Imran Khan and leg spinner Yasir Shah were named in a squad trimmed down to 16.

In the absence of Ajmal and injured fast bowlers Wahab Riaz and Junaid Khan, Pakistan will be relying on its second-string fast bowlers Rahat Ali and Mohammad Talha, along with left-arm spinner Zulfiqar Babar, on the slow wickets of the United Arab Emirates.

Misbah ul Haq will lead the team while other players are: Ahmed Shehzad, Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Younus Khan, Shan Masood, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Ehsan Adil.

Pakistan have not defeated Australia in a test match since 1995 and not won a test series against them since 1994.

PTV Sports is telecasting the whole series live.

[mudasserullah]

Muhammad Hafeez has said, he was confident about his bowling action despite being reported during champions league game in September.

[mudasserullah]

Pakistan A cricket team thrashed Australia by 153 runs in four-day practice match in Sharjah.