Pakistan's Riaz ruled out of Australia tests

KARACHI (Reuters) - Pakistan left-arm seamer Wahab Riaz has been ruled out of the two-test series against Australia, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said on Monday. The squad announcement has been delayed because of injury and form problems. Experienced all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez has a hand injury and left-armer Junaid Khan damaged his knee during the one-day series which Australia won 3-0. Long-serving captain Misbah-ul-Haq opted to miss the final one-dayer against Australia in Abu Dhabi because of his poor form. Pakistan A will play a four-day tour match against Australia before the first test begins on Oct. 22. Pakistan have five back-to-back tests against Australia and New Zealand in the United Arab Emirates. “The delay in announcing the test squad has been forced on us owing to injuries to a bunch of frontline players and with a view to field the best possible team, the selectors would like to wait for an update on their fitness,” Pakistan's chief selector Moin Khan said in a statement. (Editing by Ed Osmond)