Pakistan selectors announce 15-player squad for 1st Test against England

Pakistan’s cricket selectors have announced a 15-player squad for the first Test against England, scheduled from October 7 to 11 in Multan. Based on the recommendation of head coach Jason Gillespie, the players selected for the Test have been pulled from the Champions One-Day Cup playoffs to give them some rest before the series, according to a press release from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday.

The team will gather in Multan on Monday, September 30, and the training camp will start on October 1.

Squad for 1st Test: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicketkeeper), Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Noman Ali, a left-arm spinner who has taken 47 wickets in 15 Tests, has replaced fast bowler Khurram Shahzad, who is injured.

Players like Kamran Ghulam and Mohammad Ali, who were part of the squad during the Tests against Bangladesh, remain in the selectors’ plans. However, since the focus is on maintaining consistency and continuity, and with 15 players deemed enough for the Test, they have been encouraged to continue playing in the Champions One-Day Cup and the President’s Cup, which starts on October 3, to keep them sharp.

Pakistan’s red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie said, “With a packed domestic and international schedule, it’s important to give the players some rest ahead of the England series.”

He added, “We’re excited for the series against England in Pakistan and look forward to playing in front of our amazing fans