Pakistani gamers have a good time a wicket throughout first Check in opposition to England on this picture taken on October 8, 2024. — PCBKey gamers dropped as a result of “current form and fitness”.All uncapped Kamran Ghulam included in Check squad. Leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed stays unavailable.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has lastly introduced a 16-member workforce for the second and third Assessments in opposition to England after a lot deliberation, with key gamers together with Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi out of the squad.
Younger pacer Naseem Shah and skilled wicketkeeper-batter Sarfaraz are additionally not a part of the workforce.
“Taking into consideration the current form and fitness of key players and looking ahead to Pakistan’s future assignments in the 2024-25 international cricket season, the selectors have decided to give rest to Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Shaheen Shah Afridi,” a press release launched by the cricket governing physique learn.
It said that the 4 gamers have been changed by Haseebullah, Mehran Mumtaz, quick bowler Mohammad Ali, off-spinner Sajid Khan and all uncapped Kamran Ghulam.
Noman Ali and Zahid Mehmood, who had been initially a part of the unique first Check squad however had been subsequently launched, have additionally been included within the 16-player squad, the PCB added.
Nationwide squad — PCB
It additional said that leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed stays unavailable for the second Check as he’s nonetheless recovering from dengue fever.
The PCB mentioned that the identical squad had been finalised for the third Check match as effectively, which can be performed in Multan and Rawalpindi on 15 and 24 October, respectively.
Chatting with the media after the squad announcement, member of the boys’s nationwide choice committee Aqib Javed mentioned:
“Selecting the squad for the upcoming Tests against England has been a challenging task for the selectors. We’ve had to carefully consider current player form, the urgency to bounce back in the series and Pakistan’s demanding 2024-25 international schedule.”
He mentioned that the choice to relaxation Babar and different key gamers has been made in the perfect curiosity of Pakistan cricket and its gamers.
“We’re assured that this break from worldwide cricket will assist these gamers regain their health, confidence and composure, making certain they return in high form for future challenges,” Javed added.
The former cricketer went on to say that Babar, Shaheen, Naseem and Sarfaraz remain some of “our most interesting skills with rather more to contribute to Pakistan cricket”.
He expressed commitment to support the cricketers during this period so they can come back even stronger.
Speaking about those who have been included in the squad, Javed said that they now have the chance to showcase their skills against a formidable England side.
“We consider they may rise to the event and profit from this chance within the remaining two Assessments,” he added.
The second Check is about to happen from October 15-19 on the Multan Cricket Stadium.
Pakistan squad: 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 (wicketkeeper), Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha and Zahid Mehmood.
