August 7, 2024

Pakistan Announces Test Squad for Bangladesh Series -PSL

LAHORE—The Pakistan Cricket Board’s men’s national selection committee has officially announced a 17-member squad for the upcoming ICC World Test Championship fixtures against Bangladesh. The announcement comes ahead of the crucial series, which is set to significantly affect both teams’ championship standings.

The first Test of the series will be held at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from August 21 to August 25. This match is anticipated to be a thrilling contest as both teams vie for valuable points in the championship. Following the Rawalpindi fixture, the second Test will occur in Karachi from August 30 to September 3. This will be the final opportunity for both sides to showcase their skills and secure a favorable result before moving on to their following challenges.

The Pakistan Test team’s training camp will begin at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on August 11, under the supervision of red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie and assistant coach Azhar Mahmood. The Bangladesh cricket team is set to arrive in Islamabad early on August 17. It is expected to hold its first training session that same afternoon.

PAKISTAN SQUAD (ICC World Test Championship Series vs Bangladesh)

Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamir Jamal (pending 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.

Shan Masood will captain the 17-member Test squad, with Saud Shakeel as vice-captain. 

Shakeel succeeds Shaheen Shah Afridi in this role as part of a strategic move by the selectors to manage the workload of Pakistan’s leading fast bowler. This decision is intended to balance Afridi’s responsibilities from August 21, 2024, to April 5, 2025, when Pakistan is set to play nine Test matches, 14 T20 Internationals, and at least 17 ODIs.

Of the 17 players selected for the first Test series of the 2024-25 season, 13 were part of Pakistan’s previous series against Australia from December 2023 to January 2024. Mohammad Huraira, Kamran Ghulam, and Mohammad Ali have earned their spots due to their strong performances in domestic cricket and for Pakistan Shaheens. Additionally, Naseem Shah is returning to the Test side after a 13-month absence.

Kamran Ghulam accumulated 1,025 runs in 11 first-class matches during the 2023-24 season. He also scored 148 runs in three innings against Bangladesh ‘A’ in Darwin last month, including an unbeaten 100 in the first match. Although he was part of the squad for the home series against New Zealand in December 2022-January 2023, he did not play in the two-match series, which ended in a draw.

Fast bowler Mohammad Ali has been recalled to the squad after last appearing in the first two Tests against England in 2022. He claimed 24 wickets in six first-class matches during the 2022-23 season and followed that with 47 in 14 first-class matches in the 2023-24 season. In the two four-day matches against Bangladesh ‘A’ in Darwin, Ali took nine wickets, including a notable six for 63 in the second innings of the second match.

Huraira scored an impressive double-century against Bangladesh ‘A’ in Darwin last month and has had standout performances in recent first-class seasons. In the 2022-23 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, he was the only batter to exceed 1,000 runs, amassing 1,024 runs in 11 matches for Northern. During the 2023-24 first-class season, the 22-year-old right-hander tallied 961 runs in 14 games for Faisalabad Region and Higher Education Commission (HEC). Although he was included in the squad for the Sri Lanka tour in July 2023, he did not play in the series, which Pakistan won 2-0.

Imam-ul-Haq, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali (injured), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr (injured), Noman Ali, and Sajid Khan are the players who did not retain their spots in the Test squad.

Imam-ul-Haq scored 57 runs in two Tests against Sri Lanka and added 94 in the Perth and Melbourne Tests. Faheem Ashraf took one wicket in the Perth Test, while Sajid Khan claimed three wickets in the Sydney Test. Mohammad Nawaz and Noman Ali were not featured in any of the tests.

PAKISTAN SHAHEENS SQUAD (for the first four-day match against Bangladesh’ A,’ dates to be confirmed)

Saud Shakeel (captain), Kamran Ghulam, Mehran Mumtaz, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rameez Jnr, Mohammad Huraira, Naseem Shah, Saad Baig (wicket-keeper), Saad Khan, Saim Ayub, Sameen Gul, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicket-keeper), and Umar Amin.

Support staff – Umar Gul (head coach and manager), Ghulam Ali (batting coach), Fahad Masood (fielding coach), Dr. Imtiaz Khan (physiotherapist), Faisal Rai (analyst), Yasir Malik (trainer), Shafqat Shabbir (media and digital manager), and Malang Ali (masseur).

Saud Shakeel will captain Pakistan Shaheens in their first match against Bangladesh ‘A’. The squad will also include Test team members Kamran Ghulam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, and Naseem Shah. Shah, Saim Ayub, and Sarfaraz Ahmed.

For the four-day match, Pakistan Shaheens will kick off their training session on Wednesday afternoon at the Islamabad Club, under the supervision of head coach Umar Gul. Jason Gillespie and Azhar Mahmood will support Gul before transitioning their focus to the national team’s camp starting on August 11.

Following the four-day match, the eight Test probables will join the national team, and the selectors will reveal their replacements in the Pakistan Shaheens squad for the remaining fixtures against Bangladesh’ A.’

The PCB has been in discussions with the Bangladesh Cricket Board, and the revised schedule for the Pakistan Shaheens versus Bangladesh ‘A’ series is expected to be announced soon.

Cheer on your favorite team! Visit our site to show your unwavering support.

Top Cricket News | Bangladesh Premier League | Big Bash League | Cricket World Cup | Indian Premier League | Pakistan Super League | T20 Blast