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Controversy surrounds the Pakistan cricket team again as Test captain Shan Masood reportedly opposes including Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi in the squad for the upcoming series against Bangladesh. According to Samaa TV reports, Masood has expressed a preference for Sarfaraz Ahmed over Rizwan, and has suggested alternative fast bowlers to replace Afridi in the Test squad.
Pakistan is set to host Bangladesh in a two-match Test series in August as part of the ICC World Test Championship. Masood’s team aims to capitalize on home advantage to secure crucial championship points.
Recent reports indicated that Masood, along with head coach Jason Gillespie and the selection committee, has begun planning for the series, discussing potential squad members. Initially, there were talks of resting Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi, but the latest reports suggest Masood opposes their inclusion, creating internal tension within the team.
Additionally, reports indicate that fast bowler Haris Rauf will also not be considered for selection. Instead, pacers like Naseem Shah, Shahnawaz Dahani, Mir Hamza, Khurram Shahzad, and Aamer Jamal are likely to be included in the squad.
If Masood’s stance against including key players like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi proves accurate, it could significantly impact the team’s performance. These players have been integral across all formats in recent years, and their absence would pose a considerable challenge for Pakistan in the upcoming series.
Shan Masood is eager to leave a mark as Test captain following Pakistan’s troubled period under Babar Azam’s leadership in white-ball cricket, notably with their early exit from the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. Masood, now focusing on red-ball cricket, sees this upcoming series as a chance to make a positive impact.
This will be Masood’s second stint as captain after leading Pakistan in a challenging three-Test series against Australia, which Pakistan lost 3-0 on Australian soil. With the upcoming home series against Bangladesh, Masood sees an excellent opportunity to secure his first victory as captain.
Masood and newly appointed head coach Jason Gillespie, who took charge in April, are determined to shape Pakistan’s Test team for the future. They aim to bolster confidence among young players by aiming for success in the series against Bangladesh.
