Kamran, Ali added to Test squad

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the inclusion of two reserve players Kamran Ghulam and Mohammad Ali in the squad for the upcoming three-match Test series against England, set to take place in October in Multan and Rawalpindi.

The two players have been named as reserve players. Besides, leg-spinner Zahid Mehmood will join the pre-Test camp in Multan as the 16th player, while the final squad will be trimmed to 15 for the first Test, commencing on October 7.

The official announcement will be made after the conclusion of the ongoing Champions One-Day cup.

"Kamran Ghulam and Mohammad Ali will remain on reserve but will continue playing domestic matches to stay match-ready," the PCB said in a statement.

"All three players are part of the Pakistan Test team setup, but 15 players are sufficient for the home Test series due to cricketing and logistical reasons," he added.

To ensure the players' focus on the series, those selected for the Tests have been barred from participating in the remaining matches of the Champions Cup. Kamran Ghulam, in particular, has been a standout performer, leading the run-scorers in the ongoing tournament.

Gillespie reveals reason behind Kamran's exclusion from Test squad

Pakistan's Test head coach Jason Gillespie has addressed the contentious issue of Kamran Ghulam's exclusion from the national squad for the upcoming first Test of the three-match series against England in Multan from 7-11 October.

Ghulam, a consistent performer in domestic cricket, was surprisingly overlooked for the England Tests despite his strong form.

Several former players including ex-captain Rashid Latif, opener Ahmed Shehzad and Salman Butt questioned Ghulam's exclusion from the Test squad, to which Gillespie acknowledged Ghulam's strong performances but affirmed faith in the current squad.

"I saw him [Kamran Ghulam] perform with Pakistan Shaheens in Darwin," Gillespie said. "His form has been acknowledged, but we're showing faith and patience in our current squad."

Gillespie also hinted at potential changes in the squad as the team prepares for future challenges.

While speaking during commentary at the ongoing Champions One-Day Cup, Gillespie acknowledged the need to bring in fresh blood to replace aging players like Sarfaraz Ahmed.

"Sarfaraz has always been a wonderful servant, leading the team very well. However, we know Sarfaraz is not getting any younger, and at some point, we need to start exploring and offering opportunities to other players," Gillespie said.

Gillespie defended the squad after the recent loss to Bangladesh, stating that one bad series doesn't define a player's ability. He highlighted the need for consistency and fitness, indicating that changes may be necessary if performances don't improve.

"We do not want to make any hasty decisions after one bad series. All these players are skilled; no one loses their ability overnight. A couple of poor series cannot define their potential," Gillespie said.

"We haven't made too many changes to the squad for the upcoming England series compared to the Bangladesh series, and the fitness issues are manageable," he added.

The former Australian legend also revealed that he has discussed player workload management with Gary Kirsten, aiming to balance the demands of multi-format cricket. He highlighted the need for a squad mindset rather than relying solely on a starting XI.

With a busy season ahead, including the England series, the 49-year-old mentioned that some players have been rested to manage their workload. He expressed optimism about the emergence of young talent, particularly in the spin department, and emphasized the importance of providing them with international experience.

Gillespie also praised Shan Masood's leadership, acknowledging his challenges as captain but expressing confidence in his abilities. He emphasized the alignment between his own vision and Masood's for Pakistan cricket.

"Shan faced challenges after becoming captain; his start was not great, but his leadership has impressed me. Both my and Shan Masood's vision for Pakistan cricket are aligned," he said.

Jason concluded with a personal note about star bowler Shaheen Afridi, expressing his hopes for the player to prioritize family time. "I had hoped that Shaheen would skip the first Test to spend time with his family because, in my view, family should always come first," he concluded.