Shahzad keeps feet on the ground after 'surprise' England call-up

AJMAL SHAHZAD last night spoke of his surprise at pipping Yorkshire team-mate Tim Bresnan to a place in the England Test squad to face Pakistan.

The 24-year-old's inclusion in the 12-man party for Thursday's first Test at Trent Bridge came amid praise of his form from selector Geoff Miller.

Shahzad, who also held off the challenge of James Tredwell, joins James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Steven Finn in a strong pace bowling quartet, with Graeme Swann included as the spin option.

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Ravi Bopara's omission in favour of Eoin Morgan despite scoring sparkling centuries in each innings against Yorkshire last week was the other major talking point alongside Shahzad getting the nod over White Rose team-mate Bresnan.

The 24-year-old, whose Test debut came last month against Bangladesh at Old Trafford, told the Yorkshire Post: "If I am honest, I maybe didn't think it would happen but it was great to hear the news.

"I knew there was a possibility (of being selected) but I am the sort of person who takes every day as it comes and didn't want to think too far ahead.

"It is the same when people ask about the Ashes. You cannot presume anything, I just hope I get a chance to play.

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"Because I was not playing for Yorkshire at Essex (due to an ankle injury), I watched a lot of the Test match at Headingley and Pakistan have some class acts."

On pipping his Yorkshire team-mate Bresnan to a place in the squad, Shahzad, who confirmed he has recovered from the ankle injury that ruled him out of the County Championship fixture with Essex last week, added: "It is disappointing for Bressy not to be involved but, hopefully, he will be able to get back in the side.

"Bressy is fine and feeling positive. These things happen but he will bounce back. He will show what he is about for Yorkshire."

Shahzad marked his selection for England with a four-wicket haul as Yorkshire Carnegie thrashed Middlesex Panthers by eight wickets at Lord's in the Clydesdale Bank 40 competition.

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It means the Huddersfield-born paceman, who will celebrate his birthday tomorrow, will join up with the rest of the squad full of confidence, especially after he was praised by selector Miller.

Explaining the thought process behind the make-up of the party to face Pakistan, Miller said: "We have got good competition and healthy competition for places so there were always going to be issues and some difficult decisions to be made.

"We have continued with Ajmal Shahzad, who is bowling really well, and Steven Finn comes back after his strengthening programme.

"Bopara has been playing really well but we want to see a bit more from Eoin, he played well for Middlesex in his last game. Yes, we want to win this match and win this series but we have an eye on the winter as well."

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Morgan was given his first chance to shine in the long form of the game in the two-Test series against Bangladesh. Kevin Pietersen has been included despite his inability to get any meaningful match practice for a month due to Hampshire opting not to include him in their domestic plans after he announced he would leave the county at the end of the season.

Broad and all-rounder Paul Collingwood have returned after being rested, while Ian Bell misses out because of a broken bone in his foot suffered while fielding in a one-day international earlier this month.

England squad: A Strauss (capt), J Anderson, S Broad, P Collingwood, A Cook, S Finn, E Morgan, K Pietersen, M Prior (wkt), A Shahzad, G Swann, J Trott.