Pakistan returned to action yesterday after their humiliating defeat in the first Test match and left out their premier pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi from the do or die second Test against Bangladesh. A decision that has garnered criticism.
The decisions of Pakistani selectors were not spared either from criticism as two spinners instead coming into play would have been more of a better use. Pakistan had the luxury of four pacers in that match.
As head coach Jason Gillispie clarifies, Shaheen understands the “situation” and would enjoy having time off with his family.
“We had a good conversation with him and he fully understands we are looking at the best combination for this game and the last few weeks have been interesting for him with fatherhood and other things, this break will allow him to spend time with his family,” said Gillispie at that time in pre-match presser at Rawalpindi as reported by PTI.
However, now management feels there is a lot more cricket to happen as they wish Shaheen will be at his best. Former Australian pacer notes Shaheen is trying to improve his game under the guidance of Azhar Mahmood.
“Right now we feel we have all bases covered in our bowling attack and we must dominate the game with different types of bowlers, said Agaba.
Due to a knee injury, Shaheen has only played six Test matches since July 2022. This year, in January, he was rested ahead of the last Test match- Australia vs. India in Sydney.
Moving on, Gillispie went on to say that all rounder Aamer Jamal was not available for the game since he was still unavailable to play for Pakistan. Admittedly, he also added that the Pakistani team must be able to use their slow over rates more wisely.
“All that includes weather and breaks can be pushed aside, the fact is we need to be better to get through overs better.”
Pakistan, in the World Test Championship, was fined thirty percent of match fees and docking of points for poor continuing over rate in the first Test match which they lost by 10 wickets.
“Energy levels are controllable directly and as a result this is going to ensure that we are running our overs faster.”
Quite apt for the first Test according to him, Gillispie was happy to declare that the team was really sharp in its targets in the first innings.
“Bearing in mind, I think it is true that Bangladesh played the better cricket and they deserved the victory. At the moment, there is not much that can be done to change this but there are things that will be put right and lessons learnt in the second test hopefully.”
However, he added that for the players to be able to go out and play well, it is paramount that there is commitment both on the individual level and at the group level. It does not imply hitting sixes every ball; to the contrary, it means committing to their batting and using the proper levels of intensity.
However, they were looking at the possibility of improving the performance of the bowlers, and in his opinion, they had to be more aggressive, bowl the right line and length, and more importantly, back up all that by consistency in hitting the right areas.
“I think the most important thing is being consistent and in how we root for the basics.”
Along the said, Gillispie opined that it dawned on the players what a privilege it was to represent Pakistan and the agony after the first test loss was deep.
“They are free and encouraged to do what they want and display real talent. They simply have to simplify the levels of skills.”
Squads:
Pakistan: Shan Masood(Captain), Saud Shakeel(Vice Captain), Abrar Ahmed, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, and Mohammad Rizwan(WK), Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha.
Bangladesh: Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Kumer Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Nahid Rana, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Syed Khaled Ahmed.
