Two spots up for grabs as Pakistan set to finalize playing XI for Rawalpindi Test

The Test series between Pakistan and Bangladesh is set to start on August 21 in Rawalpindi, with the first Test scheduled to run until August 25.

Prior to the first Test, eight players from the Pakistan Test squad will participate in a four-day match against Bangladesh A as part of the Pakistan Shaheens, beginning on August 13.

Saud Shakeel will lead the Shaheens, which features Kamran Ghulam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, and Sarfraz Ahmed from the Test squad. These players will join the Test team after the four-day match concludes on August 16.

This four-day game offers an opportunity for four of these aforementioned players to showcase their skills ahead of the first Test.

Abdullah Shafique is confirmed as an opener in Test XI, while Saim Ayub and Mohammad Huraira will look to impress the selectors to secure the remaining opening spot alongside Shafique.

For the Test series, Pakistan's middle-order will be Shan Masood, Babar Azam, and Saud Shakeel batting at numbers 3, 4, and 5 respectively.

Mohammad Rizwan is set to be the first-choice wicketkeeper, batting at number six, meaning Sarfraz Ahmed might not feature in the first Test.

Agha Salman is anticipated to fill the all-rounder role at number seven, with the team likely to use four fast bowlers in the first Test, given the anticipated overcast conditions in Rawalpindi.

Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah are expected to lead the pace attack, with either Khurram Shehzad or Aamer Jamal in a supporting role.

Mir Hamza and Mohammad Ali, who will be in the Shaheens’ match, are competing for the final pacer spot in the Test XI.

Pakistan's probable Test playing XI:

Saim Ayub/Mohammad Huraira, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shehzad, Mir Hamza/ Mohammad Ali