Shan Masood will continue as Pakistan’s Test captain against England next month, despite the way the team has not got off to the greatest of starts, especially five losses in a row. The 34-year-old opener has been assigned to lead the 15-man squad named for the first Test slated to play next month in Multan.
Shan Masood To Lead The Test Team
There had been reports of Masood’s job being at stake after Pakistan lost 2-0 to Bangladesh, the country’s first ever loss in cricket. Masood took over Babar Azam but has had a tough tenure there since November, including losing 3-0 in the series in Australia.
Pakistani selectors have decided to persist with Masood as the captain, with a head coach from Australia saying that stability is required in the side.
Three-test series will be played in which the First (October 7) and Second Test (October 15) will be played in Multan. The third one at Rawalpindi (24th October).
🚨 Announcing Pakistan's 15-member squad for the first #PAKvENG Test 🚨
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) September 24, 2024
More details ➡️ https://t.co/giQ0iJaFC9 pic.twitter.com/nV5RbENjgn
“The 15-man squad is for the first Test and based on the recommendation of head coach Gillespie, the selected players will attend a training camp in Multan from October 1,” said a PCB release.
The PCB has confirmed that the squad announced is for only the first Test. A serious change has been done as left-arm spinner Noman Ali has replaced fast bowler Khurram Shahzad who is sidetrained while pacer Mohammad Ali and Kamran Ghulam have been left out of the squad completely.
“We are very much looking forward to the series against England here in Pakistan and cannot wait for it to begin,” Gillespie was quoted in a PCB release.
“We are excited about playing in front of our wonderful supporters.”
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All-rounder Aamer Jamal returns after missing the Bangladesh series with a back injury.
Pakistan’s Squad For 1st Test
Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel, Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Mir Hamza, Muhammad Hurraira, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi
