Former Pakistan Test captain Shan Masood has expressed confidence in the potential of young opening batsmen Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal to establish themselves as consistent run-scorers in Test cricket. Both players have demonstrated significant promise during their early international appearances.
Awais, who scored a century on his Test debut earlier this year, has featured in seven matches for Pakistan, scoring 357 runs at an average of 25.50. Fazal has played two Tests, accumulating 141 runs at an average of 35.25, a tally that includes two half-centuries.
Regarding their future prospects, Masood said, "For them, the thing is can they be consistent in Test cricket? I think they have the potential to do that." The former captain noted that the transition to the longest format requires sustained performance over time.
Neither player was selected for the recent ODI tri-series against Sri Lanka and England, a tournament that Pakistan successfully won. The national selectors have since made adjustments to the squad ahead of the upcoming international assignments.
As Pakistan prepares for a two-Test series against Sri Lanka scheduled from November 9 to 21, Awais has retained his position in the squad. However, Fazal has been omitted as part of a broader reshuffle of the team lineup.
The Test series against Sri Lanka will be hosted in Rawalpindi and Lahore. The Pakistan squad for the series is led by captain Babar Azam and includes Aamer Jamal, Ali Shabbir, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Ghazi Ghori, Mohammad Suleman, Mohammad Taha, Tayyab Arif, Razaullah, Saad Baig, Salman Ali Agha, Sameer Minhas, Saqib Khan, and Saud Shakeel.
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