Amir axed from huge Pakistan Test squad

Pakistan have axed star paceman Mohammad Amir from their extended Test squad to face Australia in their two-match series in the United Arab Emirates.

A day after their Asia Cup exit, Pakistan announced a 17-player squad for the campaign against Australia beginning October 7 in Dubai.

Amir, who returned from a five-year ban for match-fixing in January 2016, had a wicketless Asia Cup in which he was dropped for two matches.

The 26-year-old is the most notable absentee from the group, while fiery quick Wahab Riaz has been handed a recall.

Pakistan squad: Sarfraz Ahmed (captain), Azhar Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Usman Salahuddin, Yasir Shah, Shadab Khan, Bilal Asif, Mohammad Abbas, Hasan Ali, Wahab Riaz, Faheem Ashraf, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan.

“The team has been selected keeping in mind the conditions of the UAE,” said selection chief Inzaman-ul-Haq. “Mohammad Amir has been dropped from the side while Wahab Riaz and Mir Hamza have been picked.”

Amir took just one wicket at 164.00 in Pakistan's most recent Test series in the UAE, against Sri Lanka last year.

Off-spinner Bilal Asif is a notable inclusion alongside leg-spinners Yasir Shah and Shadab Khan, with the 33-year-old – who played three ODIs back in 2015 - to offer a point of difference to the two leggies who both turn the ball predominantly in to left-handers.

Australia could field as many as four lefties in their top-seven.

“Three spinners, Shahdab Khan, Yasir Shah and Bilal Asif, have been kept in the squad keeping in view the UAE wickets," said Inzamam. "Furthermore, (wicketkeeper) Mohammad Rizwan makes a comeback in the Test squad."

Pakistan will heavily rely on ace bowler Yasir who played a key role in the 2-0 win over Australia in UAE in 2014, when he took 12 wickets, while teenager Shadab could also play a role having claimed eight wickets in four Tests.

Wahab returns to the squad after playing the last of his 26 Tests in October last year. The squad also has another fast-rising left-arm paceman Mir Hamza who has yet to play for Pakistan.

Pakistan exited the Asia Cup on Wednesday following a 37-run loss to Bangladesh, with disappointed captain Sarfraz Ahmed revealing he lost sleep for six days during his team's flop.

Sarfraz's side lost their must-win game against the Tigers in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, meaning they failed to qualify for Friday's final in Dubai.

Bangladesh will face defending champions India in the final.

Pakistan lost both their games against arch rivals India - by eight and nine wickets - while narrowly beating Afghanistan by three wickets.

Sarfraz said the pressure of captaincy and not scoring runs led to some disturbed nights.

"Look, the pressures of captaincy are always there," said Sarfraz. "Pakistani captains, whoever they are, always have pressure.

"Obviously when you aren't performing and the team is losing then there is more pressure. The truth is that if I say I haven't slept for the last six nights nobody will believe me, but ... this is part of life and it will go on."

The first Test starts in Dubai from October 7 while the second is in Abu Dhabi from October 16.

Both teams will also play three Twenty20 internationals, the squads for which will be announced later.

Qantas Tour of the UAE

Australia Test squad: Tim Paine (c), Ashton Agar, Brendan Doggett, Aaron Finch, Travis Head, Jon Holland, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Shaun Marsh, Michael Neser, Matthew Renshaw, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc

Pakistan Test squad: Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Azhar Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Usman Salahuddin, Yasir Shah, Shadab Khan, Bilal Asif, Mohammad Abbas, Hasan Ali, Wahab Riaz, Faheem Ashraf, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Rizwan

Sep 29 - Oct 2: Tour match v Pak A, Dubai

Oct 7-11: First Test, Dubai

Oct 16-20: Second Test, Abu Dhabi