Pakistan Announces 15-Player Squad for First Test Against England in Multan

Pakistan cricket selectors have revealed a 15-player squad for the upcoming first Test against England, scheduled to take place from 7-11 October at Multan Cricket Stadium. In preparation for the highly anticipated Test series, head coach Jason Gillespie recommended resting key players from the Champions One-Day Cup playoffs to ensure they are fresh and ready for the challenge ahead.

The squad, led by Shan Masood as captain and Saud Shakeel as vice-captain, will assemble in Multan on Monday, 30 September, with training camp set to begin on 1 October.

The 15-player squad for the first Test is as follows:

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 taken 47 wickets in 15 Tests, has been called up to replace fast bowler Khurram Shahzad, who is sidelined with an injury. Noman’s inclusion bolsters Pakistan’s spin department for the Multan Test, which is expected to favor spin.

Kamran Ghulam and Mohammad Ali, both of whom were part of Pakistan’s squad for the recent Bangladesh Tests, remain in the selectors’ plans. However, due to the selection policy focusing on consistency and continuity, the selection committee believes that 15 players are adequate for the first Test. Ghulam and Ali have been advised to continue playing domestic cricket in the Champions One-Day Cup and the President’s Cup, starting 3 October, to maintain match readiness.

Pakistan men’s red-ball head coach, Jason Gillespie, emphasized the importance of rest in the lead-up to the series:

“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.”

The first Test against England is part of a crucial home series for Pakistan, and the team is eager to perform well in front of the home crowd as they look to build momentum for the rest of the season.