LAHORE: The Pakistan national team selectors announced a 15-member squad on Tuesday for the first Test against England, scheduled to take place in Multan Cricket Stadium from October 7-11.
In light of the squad announcement and upon the recommendation of head coach Jason Gillespie, selected players will be withdrawn from the Champions One-Day Cup playoffs to ensure they have adequate rest ahead of the series. The team will gather in Multan on September 30, with a training camp starting on October 1.
The squad includes: 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), and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Left-arm spinner Noman Ali, who has taken 47 wickets in 15 Tests, replaces injured fast bowler Khurram Shahzad.
Kamran Ghulam and Mohammad Ali, who were part of the squad for the Bangladesh Tests, remain in the selectors’ plans. However, due to the emphasis on consistency and continuity, they are encouraged to continue competing in the Champions One-Day Cup and the President’s Cup, starting October 3, to stay match-ready.
Head coach Jason Gillespie stated, “With a busy domestic and international cricket schedule, it makes sense to give our players some much-needed rest ahead of the Test series against England. We are very much looking forward to the series here in Pakistan and cannot wait for it to begin. We are excited to play in front of our wonderful supporters.”
