The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a 15-member squad for the first Test of the three-match series against England, set to take place in Multan from October 7 to 11.
In a notable move, the selected players will be withdrawn from the ongoing Champions One-Day Cup playoffs to ensure they are well-rested and prepared for the upcoming series. The team will gather in Multan on September 30, with training starting on October 1.
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 out due to injury.
Kamran Ghulam and Mohammad Ali, who were part of the recent squad for the Tests against Bangladesh, are still in the PCB’s plans for the future. However, to keep them match-fit, they have been encouraged to continue participating in domestic tournaments like the Champions One-Day Cup and the President’s Cup, which begins on October 3.
Pakistan’s red-ball team head coach, Jason Gillespie, spoke about the squad selection, saying, “Given the busy domestic and international cricket schedule, it’s wise to give our players some well-deserved rest before the Test series against England.”
He added, “We are eagerly anticipating the series against England here in Pakistan and can’t wait for it to kick off. We look forward to playing in front of our amazing supporters.
