Pakistan has revealed its 17-member squad for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. This series, part of the 2023-25 World Test Championship, will consist of two matches held between August 21 and September 3.
Shan Masood will lead the team, with Saud Shakeel appointed as the new vice-captain. Shakeel takes over from Shaheen Afridi, who may have limited involvement due to workload management.
Naseem Shah makes his return to the Test squad after over a year. The selectors have also brought in Mohammad Huraira, Kamran Ghulam, and Mohammad Ali, rewarding their strong performances in domestic cricket. Huraira is yet to debut for Pakistan, while Ghulam and Ali have limited international experience.
Players not retained from the previous squad include Imam-Ul-Haq, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Noman Ali, and Sajid Khan. Hasan Ali and Mohammad Wasim Jr. miss out due to injuries. Aamer Jamal is included but his participation depends on his fitness.
The team will begin preparations in Rawalpindi on August 11, under the guidance of head coach Jason Gillespie and assistant coach Azhar Mahmood. Bangladesh is scheduled to arrive in Islamabad on August 17, despite political unrest in the region.
The first Test will be held in Rawalpindi from August 21 to 25, followed by the second Test in Karachi from August 30 to September 3. Currently, Pakistan sits fifth on the WTC table, while Bangladesh is eighth.
Pakistan’s Squad for the Bangladesh Test 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 (wk)
- Naseem Shah
- Saim Ayub
- Salman Ali Agha
- Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk)
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
Series Schedule:
- First Test: August 21-25, Rawalpindi
- Second Test: August 30-September 3, Karachi
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