Pakistan Ready to Host Three-Match Test Series Against England
Pakistan is gearing up to host a highly anticipated three-match Test series, with the England cricket team having arrived in Multan early on Wednesday, ahead of the competition. Led by Ben Stokes, the England squad will face off against Pakistan’s national team, known as the Green Caps, in the first Test match starting on October 7 at Multan Cricket Stadium.
After arriving in Pakistan, England’s players are set to rest on October 2 and 3, before beginning their practice sessions on October 4 to prepare for the long-format series. This home series is part of the ongoing ICC World Test Championship 2023-25, adding extra significance to the competition.
The second Test will also be played in Multan, while the final match is scheduled to take place from October 24 to 28 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Despite Pakistan’s recent setbacks, including a whitewash against Bangladesh, Pakistan’s Test team captain, Shan Masood, remains optimistic. As he looks ahead to the series, he believes the team has the potential to deliver strong performances on their home turf.
Pakistan 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 (wicketkeeper), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicketkeeper), Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Left-arm spinner Noman Ali has replaced fast bowler Khurram Shahzad due to injury. Meanwhile, Kamran Ghulam and Mohammad Ali, who were part of the Bangladesh series, remain in the selectors’ plans but have been encouraged to stay match-ready by participating in domestic competitions such as the Champions One-Day Cup and President’s Cup.
England Squad: Harry Brook, Jordan Cox, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Ben Stokes (captain), Brydon Carse, Rehan Ahmed, Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Josh Hull, Jack Leach, Matthew Potts, Shoaib Bashir, and Olly Stone.
Pakistan’s head coach, Jason Gillespie, expressed excitement about the upcoming series and emphasized the importance of allowing the players to rest and recharge ahead of the demanding matches. He also highlighted the team’s eagerness to perform in front of their passionate supporters, marking what promises to be a thrilling cricket contest between two strong sides.
The series is expected to draw widespread attention, with fans eagerly awaiting the outcome of this significant clash between cricketing giants.
