Pakistan pick 37-year-old spinner, Shan Masood retained as captain for 1st Test against England

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Shan Masood will continue to lead Pakistan in the upcoming series against England, despite losing his first five Tests as captain. Masood, a 34-year-old top order batsman, was named captain in the 15-man squad announced Tuesday for next month’s first Test in Multan.

There had been media that reports Masood faced an axe after Pakistan’s shocking 2-0 defeat against Bangladesh last month.

Pakistan had never lost to Bangladesh before the twin defeats took Masood’s record to five losses since replacing Babar Azam as skipper in November last year. He lost his first series 3-0 in Australia.

Advertisement The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) maintained Masood as their head coach, as Australian coach Jason Gillespie emphasized the need for consistency.

The first of three Tests is scheduled to begin in Multan on October 7, followed by the second Test in the same city on October 15 and the third Test in Rawalpindi on October 24.

PCB said the squad is for the first Test only.

“The 15-man squad is for the first Test and based on the recommendation of head coach Gillespie, the selected players will attend a training camp in Multan from October 1,” said a PCB release.

Left-arm spinner Noman Ali has been brought in to replace fast bowler Khurram Shahzad, who is recovering from a side strain.

Pacer Mohammad Ali, who featured in both Bangladesh Tests, and batter Kamran Ghulam, who was not selected for the squad, have been omitted from the team.

Allrounder Aamer Jamal is set to return, having missed the Bangladesh series due to a back injury.

“We are very much looking forward to the series against England here in Pakistan and cannot wait for it to begin,” Gillespie was quoted in a PCB release.

“We are excited about playing in front of our wonderful supporters.”

The Pakistan squad for the first Test against England includes Shan Masood as captain, along with Saud Shakeel, Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Mir Hamza, Muhammad Hurraira, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

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