Pakistan squad for 2nd and 3rd Tests against England announced, Babar, Shaheen, Naseem, Sarfaraz OUT

Published - 13 Oct 2024, 04:03 PM | Updated - 13 Oct 2024, 04:52 PM

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On Sunday, October 13, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the 16-man squad for the second and third Tests of the three-match series against the England National Cricket Team.

The Pakistan Cricket Board made huge changes after the humiliating defeat in the first Test in Multan and released the star batsman Babar Azam from the squad along with premier pacers Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah. Also, the veteran wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfaraz Ahmed has been released from the team.

Pakistan Make Huge Changes To Squad

The selectors have brought in Haseebullah, Mehran Mumtaz, Kamran Ghulam, and Mohammad Ali to replace the aforementioned star players. Also, Sajid Khan has been added to the squad because Abrar Ahmed has been released due to dengue fever.

As Haseebullah and Mehran Mumtaz will join the Test squad, they will miss the ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup 2024. The PCB has decided to replace the duo in the Pakistan Shaheens squad with Maaz Sadaqat and Rohail Nazir.

"Taking into consideration the current form and fitness of key players and looking ahead to Pakistan’s future assignments in the 2024-25 international cricket season, the selectors have decided to give rest to Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Shaheen Shah Afridi. Abrar Ahmed (who is recovering from dengue fever) was unavailable for selection," Pakistan Cricket Board said in an official media release.

Selecting the squad for the upcoming Tests against England has been a challenging task - Aaqib Javed

In the official statement released by PCB, the Pakistan selector Aaqib Javed said that the selection committee faced a huge challenge while picking the squad as they had to take into consideration the current form of players.

He added that they have rested Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Shaheen Afridi as the break will help players to regain their fitness, confidence, and composure and do well in the future.

“Selecting the squad for the upcoming Tests against England has been a challenging task for the selectors. We’ve had to carefully consider current player form, the urgency to bounce back in the series and Pakistan’s demanding 2024-25 international schedule. With these factors in mind and in the best interest of Pakistan cricket as well as the players, we’ve made the decision to rest Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

“We are confident that this break from international cricket will help these players regain their fitness, confidence and composure, ensuring they return in top shape for future challenges. They remain some of our finest talents with much more to contribute to Pakistan cricket. We are fully committed to supporting them during this period so they can come back even stronger.

“At the same time, we are offering opportunities to uncapped players like Haseebullah, Mehran Mumtaz, and Kamran Ghulam, along with Mohammad Ali, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan and Zahid Mehmood. They now have the chance to showcase their skills against a formidable England side. We believe they will rise to the occasion and make the most of this opportunity in the remaining two Tests.”