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Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have announced their sixteen-member squad for the 2nd and 3rd Test matches against England which is scheduled to start from October 15. The cricket board made big changes in Shan Masood-led squad after Pakistan faced a humiliating loss against England in the first Test match at Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan.
Shan Masood-led became the first-ever Pakistan cricket team who lose a Test match by 47 runs and 1 inning. There were rumours that PCB would drop Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi for the second Test match. While announcing the squad Pakistan selection committee member Aqib Javed said that they had given rest to the former Pakistan captain.
“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. With these factors in mind and in the best interest of Pakistan cricket as well as the players, we’ve made the decision to rest Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
He further added that this break will help international cricket to gain confidence and composure.
“We are confident that this break from international cricket will help these players regain their fitness, confidence and composure, ensuring they return in top shape for future challenges. They remain some of our finest talents with much more to contribute to Pakistan cricket. We are fully committed to supporting them during this period so they can come back even stronger.
“At the same time, we are offering opportunities to uncapped players like Haseebullah, Mehran Mumtaz, and Kamran Ghulam, along with Mohammad Ali, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan and Zahid Mehmood. They now have the chance to showcase their skills against a formidable England side. We believe they will rise to the occasion and make the most of this opportunity in the remaining two Tests.”
Meanwhile, Haseebullah and Mehran Mumtaz, who were part of the Pakistan Shaheens squad for the ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup, have been replaced by Maaz Sadaqat and Rohail Nazir. The tournament will be held in Oman from 18 October.
