Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah return for 1st Test against England

Shaheen Afridi returned to Pakistan's XI as the team announced their playing 11 for the first Test against England in Multan, starting October 7 (Monday). Afridi was benched for the second Test against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi, with Mir Hamza taking his place. Naseem Shah also returned to the XI after losing his place to Khurram Shahzad in the previous Test. Fast bowling all-rounder Aamir Jamal came back into the XI for the first time since his debut series against Australia, having last featured in the Sydney Test in January this year. 

Shan Masood's side has been under the pump of late. Under his leadership, they succumbed to a 0-3 clean sweep at the hands of Australia, and more recently, they were blanked by Bangladesh at home to add to their woes. They will be up against a confident England side, who won the series in Pakistan on their last visit a couple of years ago.

England, too, announced their squad for the first Test on October 5 (Saturday). Skipper Ben Stokes will miss the encounter as he continues to heal from a hamstring tear, while fast bowler Brydon Carse will make his Test debut.

The first two Tests will be played in Multan before the action shifts to Rawalpindi for the third Test between October 24 and 28.

Pakistan XI for first Test vs England: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Aamer Jamal, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed

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