In a surprising move, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has decided to rest several experienced players for the remaining two Test matches against England. The decision comes after a disappointing innings defeat in the first Test.
Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Sarfaraz Ahmed have all been excluded from the squad for the Multan and Rawalpindi Tests. Additionally, spinner Abrar Ahmed will also miss out due to dengue.
To fill the gaps, the PCB has called up Haseebullah, Mehran Mumtaz, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Ali, and Sajid Khan. Noman Ali and Zahid Mehmood, who were initially part of the squad but were later released, have also been reinstated.
The decision to shake up the squad has been attributed to the recent changes in the selection panel. Aleem Dar, Aaqib Javed, and Azhar Ali have joined Asad Shafiq, Hasan Cheema, the coach, and the captain.
Aaqib Javed, a member of the selection panel, explained the decision to rest the experienced players. “We believe this break will help them regain their fitness and confidence for future challenges,” he said. “We are also providing opportunities to uncapped players to showcase their skills.”
The second Test of the series will begin on October 15 in Multan.
