The Pakistan cricket selectors have named their squad for the upcoming second and third Test matches against England, scheduled in Multan and Rawalpindi on October 15 and 24, respectively.
In light of the players’ current form, fitness, and future international commitments for the 2024-25 season, key players Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Shaheen Shah Afridi will be rested. Abrar Ahmed, recovering from dengue fever, was also unavailable for selection.
Newcomers Haseebullah, Mehran Mumtaz, and Kamran Ghulam will replace these players, alongside fast bowler Mohammad Ali and off-spinner Sajid Khan. Additionally, Noman Ali and Zahid Mehmood, previously released from the original squad, have been recalled, bringing the team to a 16-player roster.
Squad for the 2nd and 3rd Tests:
Aqib Javed, a men’s national selection committee member, stated, “Selecting the squad for the matches against England posed a significant challenge. We must balance immediate team needs, player health, and our long-term schedule. Resting Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Shaheen Shah Afridi was a strategic decision to maintain their fitness and form for future challenges.”
