Pakistan announce Test squad for Bangladesh series

The Pakistan Cricket Board’s men’s national selection committee has announced a 17-member squad for the ICC World Test Championship fixtures against Bangladesh. The first Test is scheduled at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from August 21-25, followed by the second Test in Karachi from August 30 to September 3.

The training camp for the Pakistan Test team will begin at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on August 11, under the supervision of head coach Jason Gillespie and assistant coach Azhar Mahmood. The Bangladesh team is set to arrive in Islamabad early on August 17 and is expected to train later that afternoon.

Shan Masood will lead the 17-member squad, with Saud Shakeel, a left-handed middle-order batter, appointed as vice-captain. This change aims to manage the workload of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Pakistan’s lead fast bowler, during a period from August 21, 2024, to April 5, 2025, in which Pakistan will play nine Tests, 14 T20Is, and at least 17 ODIs.

Of the 17 players selected, 13 were part of Pakistan’s last series against Australia in December/January 2023-24. Mohammad Huraira, Kamran Ghulam, and Mohammad Ali have earned their spots due to consistent performances in domestic cricket and with the Pakistan Shaheens. Naseem Shah returns to the red-ball side after a 13-month absence.

Imam-ul-Haq, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Noman Ali, and Sajid Khan did not retain their places in the squad, while Hasan Ali and Mohammad Wasim Jnr were left out due to injuries.

PAKISTAN SQUAD

Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamir Jamal (subject to 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