Aamir Jamal OUT of Pakistan vs Bangladesh Tests

Pakistan’s right-arm speedster Aamir Jamal has been released from the Test squad just days before the two-match Test series opener against Bangladesh. Aamir Jamal was initially named in Pakistan’s squad for the home Test series against Bangladesh but is pending a fitness test.

Aamir Jamal has been now sidelined from the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh at home, with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) opting to prioritize his long-term fitness. Actually, the talented pacer has been nursing a back injury sustained during his county stint earlier this year.

PCB gives Aamir Jamal the time to regain full fitness

His participation in the Pakistan versus Bangladesh Test series was eagerly anticipated by the team management and fans, but his ongoing recovery has forced the PCB to make a tough call. The PCB advised Aamir Jamal to focus on rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore.

The decision to release Aamir Jamal has raised concerns about his future prospects. Despite being the crucial series for Pakistan, the PCB has taken a bold step by sidelining one of their most promising fast bowlers to allow his full recovery at the NCA to regain full fitness.

The Cricket Pakistan report stated: “The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) decided to give Aamir the necessary time to regain full fitness, prioritizing his long-term health over immediate participation.”

Aamir’s absence will undoubtedly be a blow to Pakistan’s plans as they prepare for the two-match Test series opener against Bangladesh on August 21 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi. The second and final Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh will be played at the same venue in Rawalpindi from August 30.

Originally, this game was scheduled to be hosted at the National Cricket Stadium in Karachi, but the renovation work at the venue forced the PCB to decide on staging the final Test against the Tigers at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Abrar Ahmed and Kamran Ghulam also released by the PCB

Meanwhile, the PCB had earlier released the star spinner Abrar Ahmed from the Test squad, with the board confirming he will miss the first Test against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi. In an official statement, PCB said that Abrar will now represent the Pakistan Shaheens in the second four-day match against Bangladesh ‘A’, which will start at the Islamabad Club on Tuesday, 20 August.

However, Abrar will play in the second Test against Bangladesh, as the call was taken just to give the spinner enough game time. Apart from the wrist spinner, the uncapped top-order batter Kamran Ghulam has also been released from Pakistan’s Test squad. The 28-year-old will replace Saud Shakeel as the Pakistan A captain for the second four-day match against Bangladesh A.

Saud has rejoined Pakistan teams, accompanied by former captains Sarfaraz Ahmed, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Naseem Shah, and Saim Ayub, after participating in the first four-day match between Pakistan A and Bangladesh A.

Here’s Pakistan's squad for Bangladesh Tests:

Shan Masood (C), Saud Shakeel (VC), Sarfaraz Ahmed (WK), Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.