Pakistan vs England test series is ready to start and the Pakistan cricket board has announced the squad for the series. Some surprising names have been added to the squad and it looks like Chief Selector Mohammad Wasim has made some decisions that might surprise you.
The 18-player squad was just announced and many prominent names are missing. Shaheen Shah Afridi is missing, which was expected as the star fast bowler is struggling from a knee injury as well as an appendectomy. T20 vice-captain Shahdab Khan, Yasir Shah, Fawad Alam, and Hassan Ali were all missing, despite them all performing exceptionally well.
Here is the complete squad of the Pakistan vs England test series.
Complete Squad for Pakistan
- Babar Azam
- Mohammad Rizwan
- Abdullah Shafique
- Abrar Ahmed
- Azhar Ali
- Faheem Ashraf
- Haris Rauf
- Imam-ul-Haq
- Mohammad Ali
- Mohammad Nawaz
- Mohammad Wasim Jnr
- Naseem Shah
- Nauman Ali
- Salman Ali Agha
- Sarfaraz Ahmed
- Saud Shakeel
- Shan Masood
- Zahid Mehmood
Babar Azam is the Captain of the side whereas Mohammad Rizwan is the Vice Captain. No changes were made on this front.
? Our 18-player squad for the three-Test series against England ?#PAKvENG pic.twitter.com/NOXoTMPYDx
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) November 21, 2022
Questions Raised on Selection
A few questions have been raised considering the selection of the squad. Abrar Ahmed and Mohammad Ali are making their test debut with this series and alarm bells have been raised as to why these new ballers have been added to the team on such a crucial series.
As these are ICC World Test Championship matches, the results of this series will reflect on the Pakistan team’s standing in the world ranking. On a good turn, Mohammad Wasim Jr has been added to the squad which is a great new addition. Whereas Zahid Mehmood’s addition is being questioned, considering his form.
About the selection, Pakistan Cricket Board Chief Selector, Muhammad Wasim said:
“This series has provided opportunities to Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jnr and Zahid Mehmood. Abrar has been on the radar since his debut first-class season in 2020-21. He is in outstanding form this season, so it makes sense to make him available to Babar Azam so he can use the confidence and talent of this youngster in the upcoming series.”
Pakistan vs England Test Series Schedule
| Test | Date | Time | Venue |
| 1st Test | 1st Dec to 5th Dec | 10:00 am | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi |
| 2nd Test | 9th Dec to 13th Dec | 10:00 am | Multan Cricket Stadium, Multan |
| 3rd Test | 17th Dec to 21st Dec | 10:00 am | National Cricket Stadium, Karachi |
