In a stunning growth, Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah and Sarfaraz Ahmed have been omitted of Pakistan’s squad for the remaining two Tests towards England. The modifications to Pakistan’s squad had been made by a newly-formed choice committee, shaped hours after the hosts’ suffered an embarrassing loss by an innings and 47 runs to England within the first Test at Multan. Pakistan are 0-1 behind within the three-match Test sequence towards England and are additionally on the backside of the continued World Test Championship standings.
A press release from Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) stated making an allowance for the present type and health of key gamers and looking forward to Pakistan’s future assignments within the 2024-25 worldwide cricket season, the selectors have determined to offer relaxation to Babar, Shaheen, Naseem and Sarfaraz.
Azam had not scored a Test half-century since 2022 and has seen a dip in type in a yr the place he was made captain after which give up the publish after Pakistan suffered a group-stage exit on this yr’s T20 World Cup in June. Shaheen, in the meantime, has struggled to seek out his wicket-taking groove in Tests since getting back from a knee damage.
“Selecting the squad for the upcoming Tests towards England has been a difficult process for the selectors. We’ve needed to fastidiously take into account present participant type, the urgency to bounce again within the sequence and Pakistan’s demanding 2024-25 worldwide schedule.”
Pakistan title squad for second and third Tests towards England#PAKvENG | #TestAtHouse pic.twitter.com/EHS9m84TXK
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) October 13, 2024
“With these elements in thoughts and in the most effective curiosity of Pakistan cricket in addition to the gamers, we have made the choice to relaxation Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Shaheen Shah Afridi.”
“We are assured that this break from worldwide cricket will assist these gamers regain their health, confidence and composure, making certain they return in prime form for future challenges.”
“They stay a few of our most interesting skills with far more to contribute to Pakistan cricket. We are totally dedicated to supporting them throughout this era to allow them to come again even stronger,” stated Aqib Javed, member of the brand new choice committee, within the assertion.
Leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed was unavailable for choice as he’s recovering from dengue fever, which led to his hospitalization on day 4 of first Test at Multan. In place of the quintet, Haseebullah, Mehran Mumtaz, Kamran Ghulam (all uncapped), quick bowler Mohammad Ali and off-spinner Sajid Khan have been included.
Noman Ali and Zahid Mehmood, who had been initially a part of the unique first Test squad however had been subsequently launched, have additionally been included within the 16-player squad for the second and third Tests to be performed in Multan and Rawalpindi on October 15 and 24 respectively.
“At the identical time, we’re providing alternatives to uncapped gamers like Haseebullah, Mehran Mumtaz, and Kamran Ghulam, together with Mohammad Ali, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan and Zahid Mehmood. They now have the possibility to showcase their abilities towards a formidable England facet. We imagine they’ll rise to the event and benefit from this chance within the remaining two Tests,” added Javed.
With Haseebullah and Mehran Mumtaz within the Test squad, Maaz Sadaqat and Rohail Nazir will exchange the duo within the Pakistan Shaheens squad for the upcoming ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup, to be held in Oman from October 18.
Pakistan squad for second and third Tests: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Haseebullah (wicket-keeper), Kamran Ghulam, Mehran Mumtaz, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha and Zahid Mehmood.
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