Pakistan name 16-man squad for first Test

Selecting from a 20-strong group, seamers Faheem Ashraf, Imran Khan, Usman Shinwari and Wahab Riaz have been left out from the initial party

Pakistan have named their 16-man squad for the first match of their three-Test series against England.

Selecting from a 20-strong group, seamers Faheem Ashraf, Imran Khan, Usman Shinwari and Wahab Riaz have been left out from the initial party.

It means that former captain Sarfraz Ahmed is included along with current wicketkeeping incumbent Mohammad Rizwan, while there is space for three spinners: Shadab Khan, Yasir Shah and Kashif Bhatti.

Despite leaving out four fast bowlers, a strong battery of seamers remains, with Mohammad Abbas, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Sohail Khan all selected.

Speaking earlier this week, head coach and chief selector Misbah-ul-Haq suggested that he would consider playing two spinners at Emirates Old Trafford.

“We will keep an eye on the pitch and the weather conditions, today and tomorrow, before taking a decision on whether to play two spinners or not,” said Misbah. “It is a possibility and an encouraging sign for us.

“The pitch and weather conditions might be favouring us at the moment but you still have to execute your plans properly to win,” he explained.

Squad: Azhar Ali (c), Babar Azam (vc), Abid Ali, Asad Shafiq, Fawad Alam, Imam-ul-Haq, Kashif Bhatti, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Sarfraz Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Shan Masood, Sohail Khan, Yasir Shah

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