KARACHI: Opener Imran Farhat has pulled out of Pakistan's tour to Zimbabwe, citing personal reasons, and has been replaced by the uncapped Shan Masood, Pakistani cricket chiefs announced Tuesday.

The 31-year-old Farhat has failed to cement his place in the Pakistan team in a turbulent 13-year career and has often been criticised for lack of consistency.

“Farhat has informed the Board and the national selection committee that due to domestic matters which require his immediate attention he will be unable to proceed to Zimbabwe with the team,” said a Pakistan Cricket Board release.

Farhat had been named in the Test squad for the tour starting on August 23, in which Pakistan will play two Twenty20s, three one-day internationals and two Tests.

“The selection committee has consulted and Masood has been selected to replace Farhat in the Test Squad,” the PCB said.

Farhat has so far played 40 Tests for Pakistan, the last of which was in South Africa in February this year.

Masood, 23, is a promising left-handed opener who has been scoring heavily in domestic cricket and has several tours under his belt with Pakistan's second string “A” team.

Pakistan Test squad: Misbah-ul Haq (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Khurram Manzoor, Shan Masood, Asad Shafiq, Younis Khan, Azhar Ali, Faisal Iqbal, Adnan Akmal, Junaid Khan, Wahab Riaz1, Ehsan Adil, Rahat Ali, Saeed Ajmal, Abdul Rehman.

Opinion

Editorial

War & deception
Updated 09 Mar, 2026

War & deception

While there is little doubt that Iran is involved in many of the retaliatory attacks, the facts raise suspicions that another player may be at work.
The witness box
09 Mar, 2026

The witness box

IT is often the fear of the courtroom and what may transpire therein that drives many victims of crime, especially...
Asylum applications
09 Mar, 2026

Asylum applications

BRITAIN’S tough immigration posture has again drawn attention to the sharp rise in asylum claims by Pakistani...
Petrol shock
Updated 08 Mar, 2026

Petrol shock

With oil markets bracing for more volatility, more price shocks are inevitable in the coming weeks.
Women’s Day
08 Mar, 2026

Women’s Day

IT is a simple truth: societies progress when women are able to shape them. Yet the struggle for equality has never...
Rescuing hockey
08 Mar, 2026

Rescuing hockey

PAKISTAN hockey is back to where it should be. Years of misses came to an end on Friday with a long-awaited...