Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi has rejoined the Pakistan squad for the upcoming first Test against England on October 7. The selectors recalled Afridi after his exclusion from the second Test against Bangladesh earlier this month due to a dip in form. The first Test will take place in Multan.
Alongside Afridi, seasoned left-arm spinner Noman Ali returns to the squad after missing the two Tests against Bangladesh, where Pakistan faced unexpected defeats. Ali steps in for pace bowler Khurrum Shehzad, who is still recovering from an injury incurred during the Bangladesh series.
All-rounder Aamer Jamal also returns to the squad after overcoming a fitness issue that kept him out of the Bangladesh series.
The remainder of the team consists of players who participated in the recent Bangladesh matches.
Furthermore, the Pakistan Cricket Board announced that head coach Jason Gillespie had instructed all selected players to withdraw from the ongoing Champions Cup ODI in Faisalabad. This decision aims to allow players ample rest before facing England.
When the announcement was made, most of the chosen players, including Shan Masood and Babar Azam, were active in the Champions Cup playoffs.
The Pakistan Test squad for the match includes Shan Masood (Captain), Saud Shakil (Vice-Captain), Babar Azam, Muhammad Rizwan, Abdullah Shafique, Muhammad Huraira, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Aamer Jamal, Noman Ali, Abrar Ahmed, Mir Hamza, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Naseem Shah.
