Pakistan has unveiled its squad for the upcoming second and third Test matches against England, set to take place on 15 October in Multan and 24 October in Rawalpindi. In a bold decision, star players Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Shaheen Shah Afridi have been rested to help them recover and stay fresh for the demanding 2024-25 international season.
Following a streak of six consecutive losses under new captain Shan Masood and a home winless record stretching over two and a half years, a revamped selection panel has taken significant action in response to England’s innings victory in the first Test.
Babar Azam, who has been a prominent figure in Pakistan cricket and is currently the world No. 1 in ODIs, headlines the list of players omitted for the upcoming second and third matches. The 29-year-old has struggled to make an impact lately, with his last Test century dating back to December 2022 and a highest score of just 41 in 18 innings since then.
Babar Azam recorded scores of 30 and 5 in the two innings of the 1st test match, falling lbw to Chris Woakes in the first innings and caught behind by wicketkeeper Jamie Smith off Gus Atkinson in the second. His last score of over 50 in Test cricket came back in December 2022, and in his most recent 17 Test innings, he has managed an average of just 20.70. Notably, his form on home soil has been underwhelming as well, with an average of only 18.75 across his last eight innings, while other batsmen have flourished.
In a surprising move, leading fast bowlers Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah have also been sidelined, just one match after returning from injury. Also, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that Abrar Ahmed, the team’s first-choice spinner, is out with dengue fever. Sarfaraz Ahmed, the backup wicketkeeper, has also been declared off the team.
This overhaul comes as a shock, particularly with only three days between matches in Multan. New uncapped players Haseebullah, Mehran Mumtaz, and Kamran Ghulam have been summoned, alongside fast bowler Mohammad Ali and off-
spinner Sajid Khan. Veteran spinners Noman Ali and Zahid Mehmood, aged 38 and 36, respectively, are also making a return after being part of the original training group for the series.
The squad includes several exciting new talents, with uncapped players Haseebullah, Mehran Mumtaz, and Kamran Ghulam earning their place. Fast bowler Muhammad Ali and off-spinner Sajid Khan will be joining them. Noman Ali and Zahid Mehmood, who were earlier released after the first Test, have been brought back to bolster the squad.
Pakistan Squad for 2nd and 3rd Tests:
Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Aamir Jamal, Haseebullah (wicketkeeper), Kamran Ghulam, Mehran Mumtaz, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Zahid Mehmood.*
Aqib Javed, member of the selection committee, shared his thoughts on the squad:
“Selecting this team was about balancing the form and fitness of our key players with the need to prepare for the future. Resting Babar, Naseem, Sarfaraz, and Shaheen is all about keeping them in top shape for what’s ahead. These players are crucial to Pakistan’s success, and giving them a break now will ensure they come back even stronger.”
He further stated:
“Giving opportunities to fresh faces like Haseebullah, Mehran Mumtaz, and Kamran Ghulam allows them to show what they can do on the big stage. We have full confidence that they, along with the experienced players in the squad, will give England a tough challenge.”
In other news, Maaz Sadaqat and Rohail Nazir will take the places of Haseebullah and Mehran Mumtaz, who were initially members of the Pakistan
Shaheens squad for the ACC Men’s T20 Emerging Teams Asia Cup. The competition is scheduled to begin on October 18 in Oman.
Also Read:
- India’s Second-Highest T20 Score: Sanju Samson’s Century Powers 297 Against Bangladesh
- Pakistan with Another Historic Defeat at Home.
Pakistan wants to make a comeback in the series with this new-look squad while also providing a stage for its budding talents.
Multan Test:
In the opening Test, England made history by becoming the first team to secure a first-inning lead of more than 200 runs after conceding over 550 in the same innings. Pakistan, on the other hand, set an unfortunate record by becoming the first team to lose a Test by an innings despite posting over 500 runs in their first innings. England’s mammoth 823/7 declared was the fourth-highest Test total of all time and the highest score in the 21st century.
The result propelled England to fourth place in the World Test Championship standings, keeping their hopes for a spot in the Final alive. Pakistan, however, sank to last place, with a possible points percentage of just 16.67%, leaving their campaign in dire straits.
India Tops World Test Championship Table as Pakistan Slips to Last Place
As the latest World Test Championship (WTC) standings are updated, India firmly holds the top spot with an impressive record, while Pakistan finds itself at the bottom of the table. India leads the pack with 11 matches played, securing 8 wins, 2 losses, and 1 draw, giving them a dominant points percentage of 74.24%. Australia’s consistent performance keeps them in second place, having won 8 out of 12 matches, with a points percentage of 62.50%.
Sri Lanka follows closely in third, with 5 wins in 9 matches and a points percentage of 55.56%. Meanwhile, England’s remarkable resurgence, with 9 wins in 17 matches, places them fourth on the table with a points percentage of 45.59%, as they continue their fight for a spot in the WTC Final.
South Africa (38.89%) and New Zealand (37.50%) occupy fifth and sixth spots respectively, while Bangladesh, with 3 wins in 8 matches, stands seventh at 34.38%. The West Indies, having endured a tough campaign, sit in eighth place with a meager points percentage of 18.52%.
Pakistan, once considered a strong contender, has struggled to gain momentum in the ongoing championship. With 2 wins and 6 losses in their 8 matches, they have fallen to ninth place, holding just 16.67% points, marking a significant downturn in their Test cricket fortunes.
As the race for the World Test Championship Final heats up, teams like England and Sri Lanka will look to make strong finishes, while Pakistan faces an uphill battle to improve their standings in the remaining fixtures.
