Pakistan vs England: First Test in Multan
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced its playing XI for the first Test against England in Multan. The team sees the return of Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, who will lead a three-pronged seam attack alongside Aamir Jamal. Jamal, who missed the Bangladesh series due to fitness issues, rejoins the lineup after an impressive debut series against Australia.
Jamal’s inclusion is significant as he took 18 wickets in three Tests against Australia, becoming the second-highest wicket-taker behind Pat Cummins. He also scored 82 runs from the No.9 position in the third Test in Sydney. To make room for these changes, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali, and Mir Hamza have been left out.
Spinner Abrar Ahmed retains his spot, while the top seven batters remain unchanged. England announced their playing XI earlier, with Ben Stokes missing due to a hamstring injury. The first two Tests will be held in Multan, with the final Test in Rawalpindi. Pakistan is currently eighth in the World Test Championship standings, while England is fourth.
Pakistan Playing XI
Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha, Aamir Jamal, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed.
Doubts Revealed
Shaheen Afridi -: Shaheen Afridi is a famous Pakistani cricketer known for his fast bowling. He is one of the key players in the Pakistan cricket team.
Aamir Jamal -: Aamir Jamal is a Pakistani cricketer who plays as a bowler. He recently made a strong impression by taking many wickets in a match against Australia.
Multan -: Multan is a city in Pakistan where the cricket match between Pakistan and England is taking place. It is known for its rich history and cultural heritage.
Pakistan Cricket Board -: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is the organization that manages cricket in Pakistan. They select players and organize matches for the national team.
Seam attack -: A seam attack refers to a group of fast bowlers in a cricket team who use the seam of the ball to make it move in the air or off the pitch, making it difficult for batsmen to play.
Ben Stokes -: Ben Stokes is a well-known English cricketer who is famous for his all-round abilities, meaning he is good at both batting and bowling. He is not playing in this match due to an injury.