The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced its squad for the second and third Test matches of the ongoing series against England. The matches will be held in Multan and Rawalpindi, starting on October 15 and October 24, 2024, respectively.
The PCB’s selection committee has made strategic changes, opting to rest key players to manage their workload ahead of future international fixtures.
Captain Babar Azam, fast bowlers Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi, and wicketkeeper-batter Sarfaraz Ahmed have all been rested. Additionally, spinner Abrar Ahmed was unavailable for selection as he is recovering from dengue fever.
In response to these absences, the PCB has called up several uncapped players, offering fresh talent the opportunity to shine. Haseebullah, Kamran Ghulam, and Mehran Mumtaz have been selected, along with Mohammad Ali and Sajid Khan, to strengthen the squad.
Furthermore, Noman Ali and Zahid Mehmood, who were initially released from the first Test squad, have now been recalled to complete the 16-player lineup.
The Pakistan squad for the 2nd and 3rd Tests includes:
The Pakistan squad for the second and third Tests against England includes a balanced mix of experience and fresh talent. Shan Masood will captain the team, with Saud Shakeel serving as vice-captain.
The squad also features Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, and wicketkeepers Haseebullah and Mohammad Rizwan. Kamran Ghulam, Mehran Mumtaz, and Mir Hamza have been included, alongside Mohammad Ali and Mohammad Huraira.
The spin department is bolstered by Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, and Zahid Mehmood, while Salman Ali Agha adds all-round depth to the team.
In a related development, Haseebullah and Mehran Mumtaz, who were previously part of Pakistan Shaheens for the ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup, have been replaced by Maaz Sadaqat and Rohail Nazir for the upcoming tournament in Oman, starting on October 18. This move allows the younger players to focus on their participation in the Test series against England.
Pakistan will aim to bounce back in the remaining Tests after a challenging first match and will rely on its new-look squad to deliver strong performances.