Pakistan cricket selectors have recalled star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi for the first Test against England to be held in Multan from October 7-11. The selectors on Tuesday announced a 15-player squad, which includes left-arm spinner Noman Ali in place of injured Khurram Shahzad.

Afridi was dropped from the team after the first Test against Bangladesh. The left-arm pacer was considered one of the reasons for Pakistan's defeat in the opening Test as the four fast bowlers selected failed to make an impact.

“Following the announcement of the squad and based on the recommendation of head coach Jason Gillespie, the selected players have been dropped from the Champions One-Day Cup playoffs to allow them some rest ahead of the series. The squad will assemble in Multan on September 30 and the training camp will begin from October 1,” the Pakistan Cricket Board said in a release on Tuesday. Left-arm spinner Noman Ali, who has taken 47 wickets in 15 Tests, has replaced injured pacer Khurram Shahzad.

The release said, “Kamran Ghulam and Mohammad Ali, who were part of the squad for the Bangladesh Tests, remain firmly in the selectors’ plans. However, due to the emphasis on consistency in the selection policy and the belief that 15 players are sufficient for a Test, they have been advised and encouraged to continue representing their teams in the Champions One-Day Cup and Presidents Cup, starting on October 3, so that they remain match-ready through competitive cricket.” Pakistan men’s red-ball team head coach Jason Gillespie said they are eagerly looking forward to the series against England.

Former Australia fast bowler Gillespie said, “Due to the busy schedule of domestic and international cricket, it is prudent to give our players some much-needed rest ahead of the Test series against England. We are eagerly looking forward to the series against England in Pakistan and cannot wait for it to begin. We are excited to play in front of our wonderful supporters.”

Pakistan squad for the first Test: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafiq, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfraz Ahmed (wicketkeeper) and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

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