Pakistan have rested seasoned campaigners Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Sarfaraz Ahmed from the Test squad for the remaining two matches against England, set to be played in Multan and Rawalpindi. Additionally, spinner Abrar Ahmed who is suffering from dengue misses out.
The four key players have been replaced by Haseebullah, Mehran Mumtaz, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Ali and Sajid Khan. Noman Ali and Zahid Mehmood, who were included in the original first Test squad but were subsequently released, also find a place in the 16-player squad.
Pakistan squad for 2nd and 3rd Tests: Shan Masood (c), Saud Shakeel (vc), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Haseebullah (wk), Kamran Ghulam, Mehran Mumtaz, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha and Zahid Mehmood.
The decision to rejig the playing squad, that too rather unflinchingly, has come in the aftermath of Pakistan’s innings defeat in the opening Test, the hue and cry from which saw a ‘re-composition’ of the selection panel with Aleem Dar, Aaqib Javed, and Azhar Ali joining Asad Shafiq, Hasan Cheema, the coach and the captain.
“Selecting the squad for the upcoming Tests against England has been a challenging task for the selectors,” Aaqib Javed said. “We’ve had to carefully consider current player form, the urgency to bounce back in the series and Pakistan’s demanding 2024-25 international schedule. With these factors in mind and in the best interest of Pakistan cricket as well as the players, we’ve made the decision to rest Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
“We are confident that this break from international cricket will help these players regain their fitness, confidence and composure, ensuring they return in top shape for future challenges. They remain some of our finest talents with much more to contribute to Pakistan cricket. We are fully committed to supporting them during this period so they can come back even stronger.
“At the same time, we are offering opportunities to uncapped players like Haseebullah, Mehran Mumtaz, and Kamran Ghulam, along with Mohammad Ali, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan and Zahid Mehmood. They now have the chance to showcase their skills against a formidable England side. We believe they will rise to the occasion and make the most of this opportunity in the remaining two Tests.”
The second Test of the series will be played in Multan from October 15.
🚨 Pakistan name squad for second and third Tests against England 🚨#PAKvENG | #TestAtHome pic.twitter.com/EHS9m84TXK
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 13, 2024
