PAK vs ENG 1st Test: Shaheen Afridi returns to Pakistan team, will play first Test against England

The Pakistan Cricket Selectors have recalled star fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi for the first Test against England to be played in Multan from 7-11 October. The selectors, which announced a 15-player squad on Tuesday, include left-arm spinner Noman Ali in place of injured Khurram Shahzad and simultaneously took the inclusion of Shaheen Afridi, too, who was dropped from the team after the first Test against Bangladesh. The left-arm pacer was being seen as one of the reasons for Pakistan's defeat in the opening Test since the four fast bowlers selected failed to make an impact.

In a release, the Pakistan Cricket Board said considering the announcement of the squad and on the recommendation of head coach Jason Gillespie, the selected players have been released from participation in the playoffs of the Champions One-Day Cup, to enable them to take some rest ahead of the series. The team will assemble in Multan on September 30, while the training camp will run from October 1.

Kamran Ghulam and Mohammad Ali were in the squad for the Bangladesh Tests, but so far as the selectors are concerned, both are very much in their plans. But with consistency being key to their selection policy and believing that 15 players are sufficient to contest a Test match, they have been counselled and motivated to continue playing their teams in the Champions One-Day Cup and Presidents Cup starting October 3 for match preparedness through competitive cricket.