By The Pakistan cricket selectors announced a 15-player squad on Tuesday for the first Test against England, scheduled to take place in Multan from October 7-11, 2024. Following head coach Jason Gillespie’s recommendation, the selected players have been withdrawn from the Champions One-Day Cup playoffs to ensure they are well-rested ahead of the series.
The squad will assemble in Multan on September 30, with the training camp beginning on October 1.
The squad includes 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.
Noman Ali, a left-arm spinner with 47 wickets in 15 Tests, replaces the injured fast bowler Khurram Shahzad.
Kamran Ghulam and Mohammad Ali, who were part of the squad for the recent Bangladesh Tests, remain in the selectors’ plans. However, to maintain consistency, they have been advised to continue playing in the Champions One-Day Cup and President’s Cup to stay match-ready.
Head coach Jason Gillespie remarked, “With a busy domestic and international schedule, it’s important to give our players rest ahead of the Test series against England.”
