The national selection committee headed by Inzamamul Haq — after consultation with captain Sarfraz Ahmed and Head Coach Mickey Arthur — has announced the 15-member Test squad for the first two Test matches against New Zealand.

Left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi and top-order batsman Saad Ali have been included in Pakistan Test squad for the first time.

“Shaheen Shah Afridi has been included in the squad due to his current form. Saad Ali is included in the side after performing in domestic cricket and recent Pakistan 'A' series in the UAE,” said Inzamam.

The chief selector also said that opener Fakhar Zaman and leg-spinner Shadab Khan have been rested for the first two matches.

“Shahdab Khan and Fakhar Zaman have been rested from the Test matches and have also been advised to undergo training at the NCA,” he said.

The three-match Test series will commence from November 16 in Abu Dhabi. The second Test match will be played in Dubai from November 24-28, whereas the last match of the series will be played in Abu Dhabi from December 3 to 7, 2018.

Squad

1) Mohammad Hafeez

2) Imamul Haq

3) Azhar Ali 

4) Haris Sohail

5) Asad Shafiq

6) Babar Azam

7) Saad Ali

8) Sarfraz Ahmed (w/k, c)

9) Yasir Shah

10) Bilal Asif

11) Mohammad Abbas

12) Hassan Ali

13) Shaheen Shah Afridi

14) Faheem Ashraf

15) Mir Hamza