The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced an update on the Test squad ahead of the first match in the three-Test series against England.
Leg-spinner Zahid Mahmood has been added to the squad as the 16th player for the pre-test camp in Multan, but the final squad will be trimmed to 15 players before the first Test, which begins on October 7.
According to the PCB’s statement, Kamran Ghulam and Mohammad Ali will remain in reserve but will continue playing domestic cricket to maintain their form and match readiness. “All three players are part of Pakistan’s Test team setup, but 15 players are sufficient for the home Test series due to cricketing and logistical reasons,” the PCB noted.
The decision to keep Ghulam and Ali active in domestic matches, rather than on the bench during the series, is aimed at ensuring they stay in top form for potential future call-ups. The PCB emphasized the importance of keeping these players sharp through regular playing time.
The Test squad for the first match will gather in Multan on Monday, September 30, with the training camp beginning on October 1. To allow the selected players adequate rest before the Test series, they were withdrawn from the Champions One-Day Cup playoffs.
Squad for the 1st Test: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicket-keeper), and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Pakistan men’s red-ball head coach, Gillespie, expressed excitement about the upcoming series against England. “With a busy domestic and international cricket schedule, it makes sense to give our players some well-deserved rest ahead of the Test series against England,” Gillespie said.
He added, “We are looking forward to playing in front of our wonderful supporters here in Pakistan, and we are eager for the series to begin.”
