Pakistan announce 15-member squad for 1st England Test 2024; Shan Masood to continue as captain
Pakistan have announced their 15-member squad for the first Test of the three-match home series against England, starting in Multan on October 7. While there were speculations about a possible captaincy change, Shan Masood will continue to lead the side.
Since taking over as captain at the end of last year, Masood has endured a torrid time with Pakistan losing five consecutive Tests. This includes their latest debacle - a 0-2 defeat at home to Bangladesh. Saud Shakeel will continue as Masood's deputy as Pakistan look to end their losing streak in Tests.
Left-arm spinner Noman Ali has replaced the injured pacer Khurram Shahzad from the squad for the Bangladesh series. Right-arm pacer Mohammad Ali is also excluded from the first Test squad after being part of the roster for the Bangladesh Tests.
Noman Ali boasts a fairly impressive Test record with 47 wickets in 15 games at an average of 33.53, including four five-wicket hauls.
Pakistan's red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie has recommended that the selected players be withdrawn from the ongoing Champions One Day Cup to allow for some rest ahead of the preparation for the England series.
Following the squad announcement, he said in a statement released by Cricket Pakistan:
"With a busy domestic and international cricket schedule, it makes sense to give our players some much-needed rest ahead of the Test series against England. We are very much looking forward to the series against England here in Pakistan and cannot wait for it to begin. We are excited about playing in front of our wonderful supporters."
The batting lineup is the same as the one selected for the Bangladesh series with Sarfaraz Ahmed picked as the back-up wicketkeeper to Mohammad Rizwan.
England and Pakistan last played in a Test series in December 2022 when Ben Stokes' Men whitewashed the hosts 3-0. The visitors have been in excellent red-ball form, winning back-to-back home series against the West Indies and Sri Lanka by 3-0 and 2-1 margins.
Pakistan squad for 1st Test vs England
Shan Masood (c), Saud Shakeel (vc), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Shaheen Shah Afridi.