Pakistan have announced a strong 15-member squad to take against England in the first test starting 7 October 2024.

While Pakistan recently bore a 2-0 series loss to Bangladesh on home, they will aim to bounce back stronger against England this time which will be played at the Multan Cricket Stadium.

Shan Masood will be captaining the team as the team wants to come back strong in test cricket.

Noman Ali returns

Pakistan have returned Noman Ali to the test squad. He is a left-arm spinner who has taken 47 wickets in 15 test matches. He had missed the series with Bangladesh. He will be replacing fast bowler Khurram Shahzad as Khurram was ruled out due to stiffness in his left side, sustained during the second test against Bangladesh.

Kamran Ghulam and Mohammad Ali omitted

Kamran Ghulam, top-order batter, has been omitted from the squad along with Mohammad Ali, the fast bowler, both will continue their participation in the domestic circuit.

As per the reports, Pakistan's selection policy, emphasizing consistency and continuity, was the primary reason behind their exclusion.

Jason Gillespie's statement on resting the key players

Jason Gillespie, Pakistan men's red-ball head coach, highlighted that resting key players is important for the team. He also added that the packed domestic and international cricket calendar required careful management of the players’ workload.

"With a busy domestic and international cricket schedule, it makes sense to give our players some much-needed rest ahead of the Test series against England. We are very much looking forward to the series and excited about playing in front of our wonderful supporters" Gillespie said in a statement.

Pakistan's squad for the first test against England

Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamer Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicket-keeper), and Shaheen Shah Afridi

England's team that Pakistan will face in the test series

Ben Stokes (c), Rehan Ahmed, Gus Atkinson, Shoaib Bashir, Harry Brook, Brydon Carse, Jordan Cox, Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Josh Hull, Jack Leach, Ollie Pope, Matthew Potts, Joe Root, Jamie Smith, Olly Stone, Chris Woakes.

Venues for the test series between Pakistan and England

The test series between Pakistan and England is set to take place in Multan and Rawalpindi. Naqvi, PCB Chairman, already confirmed that the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is satisfied with the arrangements made by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).

"The home Test series against England will be held in Multan and Rawalpindi. We are in touch with the England board, and they are satisfied" Naqvi stated, as quoted by Cricket Pakistan.