Pakistan remove 2 key players from squad in the middle of 1st PAK vs ENG Test

Pakistan National Cricket Team released leg-spinner Zahid Mahmood and left-arm spinner Noman Ali from their squad on the first day of the first Test against England National Cricket Team. The first game of a three-match Test series between the teams is underway at the Multan Cricket Stadium in Multan.

The development was confirmed by the Team media manager of the Shan Masood-led side to Cricbuzz. Zahid Mahmood was a late addition to the team, and it was expected that he would feature in the XI. He was added to the squad a few days later after the PCB named the team for the first Test.

Zahid Mahmood was added late into the Pakistan squad, Noman Ali was included as a replacement for Khurram Shahzad

But he didn't get an opportunity to feature in the first Test against England. Not only this, he was also asked to leave the team and will be now featuring in the domestic circuit. He has played two Tests for the team, which came during England's last tour of Pakistan in December 2022, and took 12 wickets across four innings.

On the other hand, Noman Ali was added to the team as a replacement for the injured Khurram Shahzad. The left-arm spinner was a regular member of the Shan Masood-led side in Test cricket, but since the last two series, he has been sidelined from the squad.

Noman Ali was part of the Pakistan National Cricket Team during the Australia tour as well. But he had to return home from Australia due to acute appendicitis and was not named in the 17-player squad for the two Bangladesh Tests in August and September.

Pakistan only have three reserve players in the squad now

The reason behind Pakistan National Cricket releasing Zahid Mahmood and Noman Ali from their squad isn't clear. But ahead of the Test series against England National Cricket Team, skipper Shan Masood said that they will limit the number of players in the squad to make sure each individual gets due attention from the support staff.

Leaving out Zahid Mahmood and Noman Ali leaves the home team with only three reserve players Mohammad Huraira, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Mir Hamza. They also have a limited number of players in the squad in case they need concussion substitutes.

Pakistan thrash England on Day 1 of the first Test; Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafique hit blistering tons

Coming to the first Test, the hosts had a sensational outing with the bat. After they lost Saim Ayub early, skipper Shan Masood and Abdullah Shafique came up with a gigantic effort with the bat as they slammed sensational centuries and put the team on top, with their blistering batting display.

In what has been the flat pitch, Skipper Shan Masood ended with an innings of 151 off 177 balls with the help of 13 boundaries and 2 fours; Abdullah scored 102 runs off 184 balls. They have slammed over 280 runs on Day 1 and have made England bowlers look clueless.