As Pakistan prepares to face England in the first Test of their three-match series, the team has made some striking changes to its bowling lineup. The return of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Aamir Jamal bolster the pace attack. It surely ignites hopes to address the team’s recent struggles in red-ball cricket.
Pakistan to avenge their loss with a well-balanced team?
The Multan Cricket Stadium holds a bittersweet memory for Pakistan. It was here, less than two years ago, that England inflicted a psychological blow with a narrow 26-run victory. That defeat seemed to set the tone for a period of decline in Pakistan’s Test cricket. That loss, coupled with the recent 2-0 series defeat against Bangladesh, has put Pakistan cricket in dire straits.
The return of Shaheen Afridi, who was notably absent from the second Test against Bangladesh due to a combination of form and personal reasons, is a boost for Shan Masood. The left-arm quick has the ability to swing the ball both ways and generate considerable pace, making him a potent threat to any batting lineup.
Naseem Shah, another phenomenal talent, has also been reinstated to the team. His ability to extract bounce and seam movement makes him a valuable asset. Aamir Jamal, who impressed on his Test debut against Australia, completes the pace trio. He impressed in his debut Test series, taking 18 wickets in three Tests against Australia to finish as the second-highest wicket-taker after Australian skipper Pat Cummins.
The inclusion of the three pacers means that Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali, and Mir Hamza have been dropped from the team. Shahzad, who impressed in the second Test against Bangladesh with a six-wicket haul, will be disappointed to miss out. Spinner Abrar Ahmed retains his place in the side, and Pakistan’s top seven remains unchanged from their previous fixture. England, on the other hand, will be without their captain, Ben Stokes, due to a hamstring injury.
Pakistan Playing XI for 1st Test vs England
Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmad
