London, 30 July: After the culmination of the two-match test series against the West Indies, Pakistan will tour England for a three-match test series in August.
The series against England is going to be huge for Pakistan Test skipper Babar Azam.
The results will determine the future of several veteran players, including Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan.
Rizwan, Saud and Salman have been out-of-form for sometime in the red ball format.
Meanwhile, Pakistan will play the first test against England in Leeds from 19 to 23 August; the second test will be played at Lord’s from 27 to 31 August; and the third and final test of the series is scheduled in Birmingham from 9 to 13 September.
Depending on when exactly Shan Masood recovers from the fracture in his finger, some changes to the Pakistani squad for the all-important England series are inevitable.
It is quite possible that Abdullah Shafique might replace Shan Masood and Saud Shakeel will be back as another young player, Abdullah Fazal, is still unavailable due to injury.
Pakistan can recall Saim Ayub, if required, as a back-up opening batter as Azan Awais hasn’t performed in the last two Tests.
In the bowling department, no big changes are expected unless some injury takes place.
Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ali, Khurram Shahzad and Ubaid Shah will feature in most tests. In case of an injury to anyone, either Shaheen Shah Afridi or Naseem Shah could be recalled.
Most of the Pakistani test team players are in their 30s. That’s why the management has picked up Azan Awais as a young opener. But, at the same time, the other two talented youngsters, Abdullah Shafique and Saim Ayub, have been sidelined.
Pakistan have lost eight consecutive tests matches away from home. The team led by Babar would require a miracle to change this.
