The Pakistan cricket selectors have announced a 15-player squad for the first Test against England, scheduled to take place in Multan from October 7-11. Head coach Jason Gillespie recommended the withdrawal of the selected players from the Champions One-Day Cup playoffs to ensure they get adequate rest before the series. The squad will assemble in Multan on September 30, with the training camp commencing on October 1.
The squad for the first Test includes Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicket-keeper), and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Left-arm spinner Noman Ali, who has taken 47 wickets in 15 Tests, has replaced the 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 but have been encouraged to continue playing in the Champions One-Day Cup and the President’s Cup starting on October 3 to stay match-ready through competitive cricket.
Jason Gillespie emphasized the importance of rest due to the busy domestic and international cricket schedule, stating, “We are very much looking forward to the series against England here in Pakistan and cannot wait for it to begin. We are excited about playing in front of our wonderful supporters.”
