Pakistan Announce Squad for First Test Against England

News Desk

Peshawar: The Pakistan cricket selectors on Tuesday unveiled a 15-player squad for the first Test against England, which will be played in Multan from October 7-11, 2024.

Following the squad announcement, head coach Jason Gillespie recommended resting the selected players, leading to their withdrawal from the Champions One-Day Cup playoffs. The squad will gather in Multan on September 30, with a training camp starting on October 1.

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)

• Shaheen Shah Afridi

Left-arm spinner Noman Ali, who has claimed 47 wickets in 15 Tests, has been included in the squad, replacing 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 selection policy’s emphasis on consistency and the belief that a 15-player squad is sufficient for the first Test, they have been encouraged to continue playing in the Champions One-Day Cup and the President’s Cup, beginning October 3, to stay match-ready.

Head Coach Jason Gillespie commented, “With a busy domestic and international 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 about playing in front of our wonderful supporters.”