PAK vs ENG: Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi Rested, Pakistan Announces Squad for Second and Third Tests

Pakistan Announces Team for Second and Third Test Matches Against England

The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced the team for the second and third Test matches against England. Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi along with two other players have been dropped from the team. Behind this, the PCB has said that they have been given rest. The second Test will be played on 15 and the last Test match on 24 October in Multan and Rawalpindi.

Announcing the team, the PCB said in a statement that keeping in mind the current form and fitness of the key players and considering Pakistan’s future tasks in the 2024-25 international cricket season, the selectors have decided to rest Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Shaheen Shah Afridi. Abrar Ahmed (who is recovering from dengue fever) was not available for selection.

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New Faces Join the Squad

These four players have been replaced by Hasibullah, Mehran Mumtaz, Kamran Ghulam (all uncapped), fast bowler Mohammad Ali, and off-spinner Sajid Khan. Noman Ali and Zahid Mahmood, who were initially part of the first Test squad but were later released, have also been included in the 16-player squad.

Aqib Javed, a member of the Men’s National Selection Committee, said, “Selecting the team for the upcoming Test matches against England has been a challenging task for the selectors. We have had to carefully consider the current form of the players, the urgency of returning to the series, and Pakistan’s busy international schedule for 2024-25. Taking these factors into account and in the interest of Pakistan cricket as well as the players, we have decided to rest Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Meanwhile, Hasibullah and Mehran Mumtaz, who were part of the Pakistan Shaheens squad for the ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup, have been replaced by Maz Sadaqat and Rohel Nazir. The tournament will be played in Oman from October 18.

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Pakistan Squad for the 2nd and 3rd Tests

• Shan Masood (Captain)
• Saud Shakeel (Vice-Captain)
• Aamir Jamal
• Abdullah Shafiq
• Hasibullah (Wicketkeeper)
• Kamran Ghulam
• Mehran Mumtaz
• Mir Hamza
• Mohammad Ali
• Mohammad Huraira
• Mohammad Rizwan (Wicketkeeper)
• Noman Ali
• Saim Ayub
• Sajid Khan
• Salman Ali Agha
• Zahid Mahmood

This refreshed squad will aim to perform well against England and ensure a strong finish in the Test series.