England name 12-man squad for 1st npower Test

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Ajmal Shahzad with back to camera in t20 gear 2008

England bowler Ajmal Shahzad has been ruled out of the 1st npower Test match at Trent Bridge due to an ankle injury.

ECB Chief Medical Officer, Nick Peirce, said: "After twisting his left ankle with Yorkshire over a week ago Ajmal went on to successfully play in a Clydesdale Bank 40 match for his county last Monday.

"Unfortunately Ajmal felt some discomfort following England practice at the NCPC on Tuesday and as a precautionary measure it is felt he is best to undergo rehabilitation on the ankle for the remainder of this week.

"We expect Ajmal to make a full recovery, he hasn't been ruled unavailable for the 2nd npower Test starting next week. He will continue to be assessed this week before a decision on his fitness is made."

Tim Bresnan has been called in to the England Test squad and will practice with the team at Trent Bridge today.

TEAM NEWS

The England selectors have named Ajmal Shahzad in a 12-man squad for the 1st npower Test Match against Pakistan commencing Thursday July 29 at Trent Bridge.

Middlesex seamer Steven Finn returns to the England squad following a successful npower Test Series against Bangladesh as does Yorkshire's Ajmal Shahzad who is looking to build on his Test debut from the same series.

National Selector, Geoff Miller, said: "We have picked a very strong squad for the first Test against a Pakistan side that will be high on confidence following their recent win against Australia. We've been encouraged by the form shown by a number of England players involved in LV= County Championship matches this week and those that are coming back from injury or rest, such as Kevin Pietersen, have been working very hard ahead of the 1st Test next week. Ian Bell's untimely foot injury during the NatWest Series was obviously a disappointing blow but he is now focused on his rehabilitation and should make a full recovery in due course. Ian's absence provides other batsmen with the chance to impress against a world class Pakistan bowling attack."

England squad for 1st npower Test

Andrew Strauss (c) (Middlesex), James Anderson (Lancashire), Stuart Broad (Nottinghamshire), Paul Collingwood (Durham), Alastair Cook (Essex), Steven Finn (Middlesex), Eoin Morgan (Middlesex), Kevin Pietersen (Hampshire), Matt Prior (Sussex), Ajmal Shahzad (Yorkshire), Graeme Swann (Nottinghamshire), Jonathon Trott (Warwickshire)