New captain named as Pakistan Shaheens squad for second four-day match against Bangladesh 'A' revealed

Kamran Ghulam has been appointed captain of the Pakistan Shaheens for their second four-day match against Bangladesh 'A'. The match is set to begin at Islamabad Club on Tuesday, August 20.

In a strategic reshuffle, several players have been moved between the Shaheens and the Pakistan Test squad. Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Saud Shakeel, previously part of the Shaheens, have been included in the Test team. 

Consequently, Mohammad Rameez Jnr has been omitted from the Shaheens' squad for this match.

Replacing the outgoing players are Abrar Ahmed, Ali Zaryab, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Awais Anwar, Niaz Khan, Qasim Akram, Rohail Nazir, and Sharoon Siraj. 

Abrar Ahmed, released from the Test squad, will bolster the Shaheens as a wrist spinner, while Kamran Ghulam, an uncapped top-order batter, will lead the side in the absence of the regular captain.

The decision to include Kamran and Abrar in the Shaheens squad comes after selectors opted for an all-pace attack in the ICC World Test Championship match against Bangladesh at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Wednesday, August 21. 

Instead of benching Ghulam for the Test, the selectors named him in the Shaheens squad to provide him with match practice ahead of the second Test, which will commence on August 30.

Following the second four-day match, the Pakistan Test squad will revert to its original 17-player roster with Abrar and Kamran rejoining for the second Test.

Pakistan Shaheens squad (for second four-day) - Kamran Ghulam (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Ali Zaryab, Ghulam Mudassar, Imam-ul-Haq, Mehran Mumtaz, Mohammad Awais Anwar, Niaz Khan, Qasim Akram, Rohail Nazir (wicket-keeper), Saad Baig (wicket-keeper), Saad Khan, Sharoon Siraj and Umar Amin