Mon Oct 07 03:53:00 UTC 2024: ## Pakistan’s Pace Trio Returns for Crucial England Test Series
**Multan, Pakistan (October 6):** Pakistan has called upon its formidable fast-bowling trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Aamer Jamal for the first Test against England, starting at the Multan Cricket Stadium on Monday. The return of the pacemen comes as Pakistan looks to end a frustrating 10-match winless streak in home Tests.
Afridi and Naseem missed the second Test against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi, while Jamal was sidelined with an injury for the entire series. The last time Pakistan tasted victory on home soil was against South Africa in February 2021, a 95-run win in Rawalpindi. Their recent 2-0 defeat to Bangladesh in Rawalpindi further emphasized the need for a turnaround.
The upcoming series against England holds significant importance for Pakistan. England, captained by Ollie Pope in Multan, is riding high after successful Test series victories against West Indies and Sri Lanka at home. They will be debuting pacer Brydon Carse and welcoming back Jack Leach and Zak Crawley from injury.
The two teams last met at the Multan Cricket Stadium in December 2022, where England secured a narrow 26-run victory en route to a 3-0 series sweep. The current series, comprising three Tests, also holds significance in the ongoing World Test Championship cycle. England currently sits in fourth place with a 42.19 point percentage, while Pakistan is at eighth with a 19.05 point percentage.
**Pakistan’s Playing XI:** Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Salman Ali Agha, Aamer Jamal, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmad.
**England’s Playing XI:** Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope (captain), Joe Root, Harry Brook, Jamie Smith (wk), Chris Woakes, Gus Atkinson, Brydon Carse, Jack Leach, and Shoaib Bashir.
First Piper 