The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a 17-member squad for the upcoming two-Test series at home against Bangladesh, scheduled to begin on August 21.
The return of Naseem Shah
The biggest inclusion is that of fast bowler Naseem Shah, who is marking his return to the longest format after a 13-month hiatus. The 21-year-old last played a Test match in June 2023 against Sri Lanka and has not been considered since due to recent injury woes. He suffered a shoulder injury in the Asia Cup, which forced him to miss the ODI World Cup and the tour to Australia.
Naseem has played 17 Tests since his debut in 2019, picking up 51 wickets at an average of 33.82. He will headline a strong fast-bowling attack for the series, with just one spinner, Abrar Ahmed, selected.
Shaheen Afridi removed as vice-captain
Naseem's selection is one of two key decisions made by the national selectors, alongside the appointment of Saud Shakeel as the team's vice-captain.
He takes over the role from Afridi, who has seen himself being removed from leadership duties across both T20Is and Tests just seven months after he was first named captain and vice-captain in the two formats, respectively. The move is seemingly taken as Afridi's workload will be carefully managed throughout the upcoming calendar year, in which Pakistan is set to play nine Tests, 14 T20Is, and at least 17 ODIs.
Shan Masood will continue leading the team.
Shaheen Shah Afridi has posted a cryptic instagram story after being axed as Pakistan T20I captain.
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) April 5, 2024
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Another notable inclusion in the squad is Aamer Jamal, who impressed during Pakistan's Test tour of Australia earlier this year. However, his inclusion is contingent upon him proving his fitness ahead of the series.
Thirteen members from the squad that toured Australia have retained their places while Imam-ul-Haq, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Noman Ali, and Sajid Khan have failed to make the cut.
Domestic performers rewarded
Instead, the selectors have opted to include batter Kamran Ghulam, fast bowler Mohammad Ali, and batter Mohammad Hurraira as a reward for their impressive performances in domestic cricket.
Ghulam has scored 1,025 runs in 11 first-class matches in the 2023-24 season; Ali has been recalled after last featuring in the opening two Tests against England in 2022. He has taken 71 wickets in 20 first-class matches across the last two first-class seasons, while Hurraira, who recently hit a double-century against Bangladesh 'A', has been in exceptional form domestically, making 1,024 and 961 runs in the last two seasons.
Pakistan’s squad for Bangladesh Tests
Shan Masood (c), Saud Shakeel (vc), Aamer 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), Shaheen Shah Afridi
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