The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has named the 17-member squad for the upcoming two-match series against Bangladesh, scheduled to be played at home.
Opener Shan Masood will lead Pakistan’s red-ball team, and middle-order batsman Saud Shakeel has been named vice-captain of the national cricket team.
Pakistan team is scheduled to take on Bangladesh in the two-match Test series beginning on August 21. The upcoming series is a part of the 2023-25 ICC World Test Championship (WTC).
This series is Jason Gillespie’s first assignment as head coach of Pakistan’s red-ball team and he will be assisted by Azhar Mahmood.
The first Test match will be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from August 21 to 25. Pakistan will play the second and final Test match at the National Stadium in Karachi from August 30 to September 3.
Pakistan team will begin their training camp for the Test series in Rawalpindi on Sunday, August 11.
Saud Shakeel replaces Shaheen Afridi as Pakistan vice-captain for Tests
The selection committee backed 13 players for the team for their last series, where they suffered a recent 0-3 defeat to Australia. Saud Shakeel replaced Shaheen Afridi as vice-captain of the Test team.
Star pacer Naseem Shah has returned to Pakistan’s Test squad after more than a year’s absence.
“Saud replaces Shaheen Shah Afridi as part of the selectors’ strategic decision which aims to manage the workload of Pakistan’s premier fast bowler during the period from 21 August 2024 to 5 April 2025 in which Pakistan is scheduled to play nine Tests, 14 T20Is and at least 17 ODIs,” the PCB statement read.
Mohammad Huraira, Kamran Ghulam and Mohammad Ali have been included in the squad due to their consistent performances.
Huraira is yet to make his debut for Pakistan, while Ghulam played an ODI against New Zealand last year. Ali has appeared in two Test matches for Pakistan against England in 2022.
Imam-ul-Haq, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Noman Ali and Sajid Khan have not been included in the Test squad. Hasan Ali and Mohammad Wasim Jr. are absent due to injuries. Aamer Jamal has been included in the squad but his participation is subject to his fitness.
Pakistan squad for Test series against Bangladesh: Shan Masood (c), Saud Shakeel (vc), Aamir Jamal (subject to fitness), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wk) , Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Saud Shakeel to lead Pakistan Shaheens against Bangladesh
Saud Shakeel will also lead the Pakistan Shaheens in their opening four-day match against Bangladesh A. Test squad members Kamran Ghulam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub and Sarfaraz Ahmed are part of the squad. They will join the national team after the match.
Pakistan Shaheens Squad: Saud Shakeel (captain), Kamran Ghulam, Mehran Mumtaz, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rameez Jnr, Mohammad Huraira, Naseem Shah, Saad Baig (wk), Saad Khan, Saim Ayub, Sameen Gul, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Umar Amen.
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