LAHORE – Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has granted approval to provide “VVIP status” for the England cricket team visiting Pakistan for a Test series.
The players of the visiting team will be given fool-proof security and other facilities on a par with the heads of state.
The status has been granted for the two matches, which will be played in Multan and Rawalpindi. However, commentators and production crew visiting Pakistan for coverage of the series are entitled for the “VIP status”.
The prime minister has approved the VVIP status to the players and officials of Pakistan cricket team.
Earlier, the Pakistan cricket selectors announced a 15-player squad for the first Test against England, set to take place in Multan from 7-11 October.
Following the squad announcement and based on the recommendation of head coach Jason Gillespie, the selected players have been withdrawn from the Champions One-Day Cup playoffs to allow them some rest ahead of the series.
Squad (for 1st Test):
Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicket-keeper), and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
