(AFP Photo)
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Wednesday that fast bowler Naseem Shah is back in the Pakistan Test squad after a 13-month absence. The 17-player squad is set for a two-match home series against Bangladesh. Under the captaincy of Shan Masood, Pakistan will face Bangladesh in the first Test at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from August 21-25, with the second Test scheduled to take place in Karachi from August 30 to September 3.
The selectors have named Saud Shakeel as Pakistan’s new vice-captain, replacing Shaheen Shah Afridi. According to the PCB, this change is part of a broader plan to manage Afridi’s workload amidst a demanding schedule that includes nine Tests, 14 T20Is, and at least 17 ODIs through April next year.
Additionally, pacer Aamer Jamal’s selection is contingent on his fitness, while consistent performers in domestic cricket have earned Test call-ups. Kamran Ghulam returns to the squad after his previous inclusion against New Zealand. His impressive domestic record, including 1,025 runs in the 2023/24 first-class season and a notable performance against Bangladesh ‘A,’ enhances his chances of making his Test debut.
Fast bowler Mohammad Ali makes a return to the squad after a standout performance, taking 24 wickets in the 2022/23 season and 47 wickets in the 2023/24 season. His selection was further cemented by a nine-wicket haul against Bangladesh A.
Young batter Muhammad Hurraira also joins the squad, following an impressive season in which he averaged 56.24 in first-class cricket and recently scored a double century against Bangladesh A.
Noteworthy absentees from the Test team include Imam-ul-Haq, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Noman Ali, and Sajid Khan. Injuries have also ruled out pacers Hasan Ali and Mohammad Wasim.
Pakistan will kick off their preparations with a training camp in Rawalpindi starting August 11, under the guidance of head coach Jason Gillespie and assistant coach Azhar Mahmood. Bangladesh is set to arrive on August 17 for the Test series.
Additionally, the PCB has announced the Pakistan Shaheens squad for a four-day match against Bangladesh A, with Saud Shakeel as captain. The squad features Naseem Shah, Kamran Ghulam, Muhammad Hurraira, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Saim Ayub, and veteran wicketkeeper-batter Sarfaraz Ahmed.
The Shaheens will begin their training under head coach Umar Gul, with additional support from Jason Gillespie and Azhar Mahmood. Due to political unrest in Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has postponed the departure of their A team to Pakistan by 48 hours.
The PCB has announced that they are in ongoing discussions with the BCB and will soon provide an updated schedule for the Pakistan Shaheens versus Bangladesh A series.
Pakistan Test squad: 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 Hurraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk) and Shaheen Shah Afridi
