Former cricketer Basit Ali has predicted that significant changes could be made to the Pakistan squad if they suffer a defeat in their upcoming Test opener against England. Pakistan, this time, has taken a different approach compared to their previous series against Bangladesh. Rather than announcing a squad for the entire series, Pakistan has revealed a 15-player squad solely for the first Test, which is set to begin on October 7 in Multan.
Basit believes this strategy is a result of careful consideration of the outcome of the first match. He also thinks that a victory in the opening Test would help erase the painful memories of past disappointments.
He explained on his YouTube channel that if England wins the first Test, a number of changes will likely be made for the second. He added that Jason and Kirsten may have influenced the selectors' decision to announce the squad for just one Test. However, if Pakistan wins, it will help overshadow past defeats.
The selection for the opening Test has drawn attention, particularly with the inclusion of 37-year-old spinner Noman Ali. The left-arm spinner, who has taken 47 wickets in 15 Tests at an average of 33.53, delivered a career-best performance of 7 for 70 in his last Test against Sri Lanka in Colombo.
Kamran Ghulam and Mohammad Ali, who were part of the squad in the recent 2-0 home defeat to Bangladesh, have been left out for the first Test but remain in future plans. Meanwhile, all-rounder Aamer Jamal, who missed the Bangladesh series due to injury, has been declared fit and included for the first Test. Jamal was initially selected for the second Test against Bangladesh but did not make the final playing XI.