11 Jul, 2025 | 08:36 PM
Middle-order batter Saud Shakeel has been named captain of the Pakistan Shaheens for their upcoming tour of England, scheduled from July 17 to August 6. The tour includes two three-day matches and three 50-over games against county and development sides.
Shakeel, who has represented Pakistan in 19 Test matches and averages over 50 with the bat, will be joined by three other capped players — left-arm seamer Mir Hamza, pacer Musa Khan, and offspinner Sajid Khan — providing experience to a squad largely composed of emerging domestic talent.
Notably, Azan Awais and Maaz Sadaqat, the leading run-scorers in the 2024–25 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, have earned their maiden call-ups to the Shaheens squad, rewarded for their outstanding performances in Pakistan’s premier first-class competition.
Among the promising youngsters is Ubaid Shah, the younger brother of international fast bowler Naseem Shah. Ubaid, a budding pace prospect, joins Mushtaq Ahmed and Shahid Aziz to form a youthful fast-bowling unit. The spin department also boasts variety with left-arm wristspinner Faisal Akram — known for his stints with the Pakistan Under-19s and Multan Sultans — as well as offspin allrounder Mubasir Khan and left-arm spinner Mehran Mumtaz.
Mubasir, 23, who made his international debut at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, adds all-round depth, while the experienced Rohail Nazir will take over wicketkeeping duties.
The 18-member squad will assemble in Karachi for a preparatory camp at the Hanif Mohammad High-Performance Centre before flying to England on July 16.
Captain: Saud Shakeel
Players: Ali Zaryab, Azan Awais, Faisal Akram, Haider Ali, Maaz Sadaqat, Mehran Mumtaz, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Suleman, Mubasir Khan, Musa Khan, Mushtaq Ahmed, Omair Bin Yousuf, Rohail Nazir (wk), Sajid Khan, Shahid Aziz, Shamyl Hussain, Ubaid Shah
Head Coach: Imran Farhat
Bowling Coach: Rehan Riaz
Fielding Coach: Mohtashim Rasheed
The tour is expected to offer valuable exposure to Pakistan’s next generation of cricketers in challenging English conditions, with the Shaheens acting as a crucial stepping stone to the senior national team.
