New Delhi: Pakistan have announced their 15-member squad for the first Test against England, starting on October 7 in Rawalpindi. Pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, left-arm spinner Noman Ali and Aamer Jamal returned to the squad.
Noman has played 15 Test matches and picked up 47 wickets so far in his career. Aamer Jamal replaced the injured Khurram Shahzad in the team, the all-rounder was out of the squad since last year’s Australia tour due to back issues. He recently made his comeback in the Champions Cup.
Fast bowler Shaheen Afridi, who was dropped from the last Test against Bangladesh due to poor form was also back in the team for the first Test. From the 17-member squad that was selected to face Bangladesh, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also dropped Kamran Ghulam and Mohammed Ali.
The board and selectors confirmed that both the players remained in their plans and said in a statement that “due to the selection policy’s emphasis on consistency and continuity, and the belief 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 the President’s Cup”.
The players selected for the England Test series have been withdrawn from the Champions One-Day Cup playoffs to ensure they have sufficient rest before the matches, under head coach Jason Gillespie’s recommendation.
“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 against England here in Pakistan and cannot wait for it to begin. We are excited about playing in front of our wonderful supporters” Jason Gillespie said.
Pakistan squad for 1st Test against England
Shan Masood (C), Saud Shakeel (VC), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (WK), Shaheen Shah Afridi
Pakistan have named a 15-player squad for their opening Test against England. The first Test is scheduled to commence from October 7. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
