Three Huge Names Dropped as Pakistan Announces Squad for England Tests

In a dramatic shake-up following their heavy defeat in the first Test against England, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a revamped squad for the upcoming second and third Tests. The series, which continues in Multan on October 15 and concludes in Rawalpindi on October 24, will see significant changes as Pakistan aims to bounce back from their recent setbacks.

The most notable exclusions from the squad are former captain Babar Azam, pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi, and young fast bowler Naseem Shah. Veteran wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfaraz Ahmed has also been left out.

These decisions come after Pakistan’s innings and 47-run loss in the first Test, which highlighted several areas of concern, particularly in the bowling department. Babar Azam, who has been struggling with form, has not scored a half-century in his last 18 Test innings. His performance in the first Test, where he managed scores of 30 and 5, further compounded his woes. Similarly, Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah have not been able to deliver the expected breakthroughs, prompting the selectors to make these bold changes.

The PCB has opted to bring in fresh faces, including uncapped players Kamran Ghulam and Mehran Mumtaz. The squad also sees the return of Noman Ali, Mohammad Ali, Zahid Mehmood, and Sajid Khan. The new squad will be led by Shan Masood, with Saud Shakeel serving as vice-captain. The inclusion of young and promising players like Haseebullah, who will serve as a wicket-keeper alongside Mohammad Rizwan, reflects the selectors’ focus on building a team for the future while addressing immediate performance issues.

The revised squad for the 2nd and 3rd Tests is as follows:

• Shan Masood (c)
• Saud Shakeel (vc)
• Aamer Jamal
• Abdullah Shafique
• Haseebullah
• Kamran Ghulam
• Mehran Mumtaz
• Mir Hamza
• Mohammad Ali
• Mohammad Huraira
• Mohammad Rizwan
• Noman Ali
• Saim Ayub
• Sajid Khan
• Salman Ali Agha
• Zahid Mehmood