Pakistan has suffered a big blow ahead of the three-match Test series against Pakistan at home, as star all-rounder, Faheem Ashraf and pacer Hassan Ali were ruled out of the first Test on February 27.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed on Sunday that Hassan and Ashraf will not take part in the opening Test of the three-match Test series against Australia, starting on March 4 in Rawalpindi, due to fitness issues.

However, Hassan and Ashraf are expected to regain full fitness before the second Test, to be played in Karachi from March 12 to 16, followed by the third Test and final Test on March 21 in Lahore.

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The PCB also confirmed that Iftikhar Ahmed, a batter, and Mohammad Wasim Junior, a young all-rounder, have been added to Pakistan's squad as replacements for Hassan and Ashraf for the first Test against Australia in Rawalpindi.

Iftikhar and Wasim reached Islamabad on Sunday night and started their three-day isolation at the team hotel. After completing the three-day isolation, the duo will undergo COVID-19 tests before joining the rest of the Pakistan squad for the first test.

Notably, Faheem missed Islamabad United's eliminator match against Lahore Qalandars in the recent Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2022 due to an injury, while Hassan has been struggling for form and fitness. Their absence will be a big blow for the hosts ahead of the historic home series.

Pakistan's 15-player squad for the first Test: 
Babar Azam (C), Mohammad Rizwan (VC-WK), Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood and Zahid Mahmood

(With PTI Inputs)