PAK vs ENG 2nd Test: Uncapped Kamran Ghulam Replaces Babar Azam For Pakistan As England Welcome Ben Stokes' Return In Multan

Kamran Ghulam, who ahs only played an ODI for Pakistan, will replace Babar Azam for Pakistan in the 2nd Multan Test against England whereas the Three Lions will be bolstered by Ben Stokes' return.

Babar Azam will be replaced by Kamran Ghulam in the Pakistan batting lineup whereas Ben Stokes will mark his Test return in Multan.

Source : PTI

Pakistan were handed a humiliating loss at Multan in the first Pakistan vs England Test of the series where they became the first side in cricket’s history to lose a Test match by an innings despite scoring above 500 runs in the first innings. However, what came as an even more shocking news was the decision of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to drop their premier batter Babar Azam along with the likes of Naseem Shah, Saheen Afridi and Sarfaraz Ahmed for the second Test.

Pakistan's assistant coach Azhar Mahmood, however,  stated that Babar Azam has not been dropped but rather rested for the remainder of the England series, considering future tours.

ALSO ON ABPLive | PAK vs ENG 2nd Test: Playing 11s, Date, Time, Venue, Live Streaming And More

"He hasn't been dropped. He has been rested. The management also understands that there has been a lot happening in the last few months. Mentally, even if you say you're strong, it still goes on in the back of the mind. He was willing to play. But it was the decision for him and Pakistan team to give him a rest so that he can come fresh. Because after this, we're playing till April next year," said Mahmood.

Kamran Ghulam Replaces Babar Azam For 2nd PAK vs ENG Test

Babar Azam has been replaced by 29-year-old all-rounder Kamran Ghulam, who has only played one ODI and will be making his Test debut for Pakistan in the Multan Test. While there are no other changes to the batting lineup, the bowling attack has undergone a significant change, with four spinners included in the Pakistan playing 11 for the second PAK vs ENG Test in Multan.

Left-arm spinner Noman Ali and off-spinner Sajid Khan have made their way back into the Pakistan 11 while Abrar Ahmed remains absent due to dengue fever. The spin-heavy bowling lineup is further bolstered by the inclusion of 36-year-old Zahid Mahmood alongside Ali and Sajid. 

For England, Ben Stokes returns to lead the Three Lions and in the 2nd Test after recovering from a hamstring injury, taking the place of Chris Woakes. Additionally, Matthew Potts will replace Gus Atkinson in the England 11 for the Multan Test.

Here’s are the announced 11s for the Pakistan vs England 2nd Test in Multan

England’s Playing 11 for the 2nd Pakistan vs England Test: Zak Crawley, Ben Duckett, Ollie Pope, Joe Root, Harry Brook, Ben Stokes (C), Jamie Smith (WK), Brandon Carse, Matt Potts, Jack Leach, Shoaib Bashir.

Pakistan'sPlaying 11 for the 2nd Pakistan vs England Test: Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (C), Kamran Ghulam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Salman Ali Agha, Aamer Jamal, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Zahid Mehmood