Joins Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Swepson as the spinners. Marcus Harris is in the squad alongside Mitch Marsh and Josh Inglis is the reserve wicketkeeper
Agar has also played just one first-class match since October 2020 due to his limited-overs commitments with Australia. He averages 41.28 with the ball in first-class cricket and strikes at 80.70.
National selector George Bailey believes the squad covers all bases as Australia are not quite sure what conditions they will get in Pakistan given the side has not toured there since 1998.
“This squad covers for all scenarios including the conditions given it has been such a long time since Australia was last in Pakistan,” Bailey said.
“With several subcontinent tours and a one-day World Cup in India on the near horizon this is a great first-up challenge for the group after the successful home Ashes Series.
“It’s also a very historic tour given the length of time since an Australian side last toured Pakistan.”
Some of Australia’s batters have limited experience in Asia with Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head having played just one Test series in the UAE in 2018. Marcus Harris and Cameron Green have never played a first-class match in Asia and this will be Green’s first overseas Test tour. Alex Carey has played one first-class match for Australia A in India and has international white-ball experience on the subcontinent.
Australia Test squad: Pat Cummins (c), Ashton Agar, Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Marsh, Michael Neser, Steven Smith (vc), Mitchell Starc, Mitchell Swepson, David Warner,
Alex Malcolm is an Associate Editor at ESPNcricinfo