Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the 16-player squad for the 2nd and 3rd Test matches against England, scheduled to take place in Multan and Rawalpindi on October 15 and 24, respectively.
In a surprising move, key players Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Shaheen Shah Afridi have been rested, considering their current form and fitness. Abrar Ahmed, recovering from dengue fever, was unavailable for selection.
The quartet has been replaced by uncapped players Haseebullah, Mehran Mumtaz, Kamran Ghulam, fast bowler Mohammad Ali, and off-spinner Sajid Khan. Noman Ali and Zahid Mehmood, initially part of the 1st Test squad, have also been included.
Pakistan Squad for 2nd and 3rd Tests:
- Shan Masood (Captain)
- Saud Shakeel (Vice-Captain)
- Aamir Jamal
- Abdullah Shafique
- Haseebullah (Wicket-Keeper)
- Kamran Ghulam
- Mehran Mumtaz
- Mir Hamza
- Mohammad Ali
- Mohammad Huraira
- Mohammad Rizwan (Wicket-Keeper)
- Noman Ali
- Saim Ayub
- Sajid Khan
- Salman Ali Agha
- Zahid Mehmood
Aqib Javed, member of the men’s national selection committee, explained the decision:
“Selecting the squad was challenging. We considered current form, series urgency, and Pakistan’s 2024-25 international schedule. Resting Babar, Naseem, Sarfaraz, and Shaheen will help them regain fitness and confidence.”
Javed expressed confidence in the new inclusions:
“Haseebullah, Mehran, Kamran, Mohammad Ali, Noman, Sajid, and Zahid now have the chance to showcase their skills against England. We believe they’ll rise to the occasion.”
Meanwhile, Haseebullah and Mehran Mumtaz have been replaced by Maaz Sadaqat and Rohail Nazir in the Pakistan Shaheens squad for the ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup in Oman.
