The Pakistan cricket selectors Tuesday announced a 15-player squad for the first Test against England, commencing in Multan from 7-11 October.
The selected one has been withdrawn from the Champions One-Day Cup playoffs following the squad announcement, and on the recommendation of head coach Jason Gillespie. This will give them a wee bit of rest ahead of the series.
The left-arm spinner has replaced injured fast bowler Khurram Shahzad, who took 47 wickets in 15 Tests.
The inclusions of Kamran Ghulam and Mohammad Ali, who were in the squad for the Bangladesh Tests, also remain very much in the thoughts of the selectors. However, keeping in view the consistent policy of selectors for continuity.
Considering that 15 players are sufficient for a Test, they have been advised and encouraged to continue representing their teams in the Champions One-Day Cup and President’s Cup starting on 3 October to ensure that they remain match-fit through competitive cricket.
Gillespie, Pakistan men’s red-ball head coach, stated: “With an increasingly busy domestic and international cricket calendar, it is prudent we give our players some much-needed rest ahead of the Test series against England.”
“We are so looking forward to the series with England here in Pakistan-we just really can’t wait for it to start, we love playing in front of our fantastic supporters,” he said.
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 (wicket-keeper), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicket-keeper), and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
