The Pakistan cricket team has decided to retain senior players Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi in the Test side for two series matches against Bangladesh next month after earlier contemplating making sweeping changes following a disappointing T20 World Cup display. According to Parami News report, Jason Gillispie and Gary Kirsten, foreign head coaches influenced the adjustments in the squad.
Pakistan was eliminated from June’s T20 World Cup in the group stage after defeats at the hands of USA and India. In fact, Chairman of Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Mohsin Naqvi had pointed out that there is need for “major surgery” in the team.
There were also allegations of player misconduct during the event. Still, PCB did not take any drastic actions against them as they moved on from this world cup disaster.
For red-ball format Shan Masood will remain captain while Saud Shakeel has been promoted to vice-captain as Shaheen Shah Afridi was already named vice-captain on last test tour of Australia. The roster features two uncapped cricketers – Mohammad Huraira and Kamran Ghulam.
Kamran Ghulam who had previously been included in test squad but never made his debut is called back into action. Mohammed Ali who played only two tests against England in 2022 was also chosen once again. Most players involved in Pakistan’s first Test series of 2024-25 season are same as those who were part of the final series against Australia at end 2023-24 which means most members have retained their places.
Selectors have recognized Mohammad Huraira, Kamran Ghulam and Mohamedali for their consistency in domestic cricket and performances with Pakistan shaheens. Naseem shah is back to red-ball format after recovering from injury.
Openers Imam ul Haq, spinners Noman Ali, Mohammad Nawaz, Sajid Khan all-rounder Faheem Ashraf and fast bowler Hasan Ali have been left out from the side that played the last Test series. In addition, Mohammad Waseem Jr’s absence is due to injury. All-rounder Aamir Jamal has been included in the squad, pending his clearance of fitness tests.
Pakistan will play two matches against Bangladesh starting August 21 as part of the ICC Test Championship program. The national team will also feature in nine Tests, 14 T20 Internationals and 17 One-Day Internationals at home and abroad during the forthcoming season.
Pakistan Test Squad: 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) and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
