Pakistan has made some bold choices in announcing a 17-member squad for the upcoming two-match home Test series against Bangladesh, starting on August 21. The first Test will be at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from August 21-25, and the second Test will take place from August 30-September 3 in Karachi.
Key Changes and Strategic Decisions
Shan Masood continues as the Test team captain, with left-handed middle-order batter Saud Shakeel stepping in as the new vice-captain. Saud replaced Pakistan’s leading fast bowler Shaheen Afridi as the vice-captain.
This change aims to manage the workload of Shaheen Afridi, amid a busy season. The Pakistan cricket team is set to play nine Tests, 14 T20Is, and at least 17 ODIs from August 21, 2024, to April 5, 2025. Managing Shaheen’s workload is crucial to keeping him injury-free.
Pakistan’s squad for the Bangladesh series includes 13 players from the last series against Australia. Uncapped Mohammad Huraira and Kamran Ghulam, along with Test player Mohammad Ali, have been rewarded for their consistent performances in domestic cricket and for Pakistan Shaheens.
Pace sensation Naseem Shah also set to return to the red-ball side after a 13-month break. He last played a Test just over a year ago, starring with six wickets in an innings triumph in Colombo. But a shoulder injury in the Asia Cup soon after meant he missed the ODI World Cup in India and the tour to Australia.
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Rising Stars and Consistent Performers
Kamran Ghulam scored 1,025 runs in 11 first-class matches in the 2023-24 season and then added 148 runs in three innings against Bangladesh ‘A’ in Darwin last month, including an unbeaten 100 in the first match.
Fast bowler Mohammad Ali returns after his last appearance in the opening two Tests against England in 2022. He took 24 wickets in six first-class matches in the 2022-23 season, followed by 47 wickets in 14 matches in the 2023-24 season.
Mohammad Huraira shone with a double-century against Bangladesh ‘A’ in Darwin last month and had impressive first-class seasons. In the 2022-23 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, he was the only batter to score over 1,000 runs, with 1,024 runs in 11 matches. In the 2023-24 season, the 22-year-old right-hander scored 961 runs in 14 matches.
Notable Omissions
Imam-ul-Haq, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali (injured), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr (injured), Noman Ali, and Sajid Khan did not retain their places in the Test side.
Imam managed 57 runs in two Tests against Sri Lanka and 94 runs in the Perth and Melbourne Tests. Faheem took one wicket in the Perth Test, Sajid claimed three wickets in the Sydney Test, while Nawaz and Noman did not play in any Tests.
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Pakistan Test Squad for Bangladesh Series
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 (wicket-keeper), Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicket-keeper) and Shaheen Shah Afridi
Exciting Times Ahead
With new faces and strategic changes, Pakistan is gearing up for an exciting series against Bangladesh. Fans are eagerly waiting to see how these decisions will impact the team’s performance and set the stage for the busy cricketing season ahead.
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