Pakistan set for huge changes in playing XI; Abrar Ahmed among 3 stars recalled for Bangladesh Test

In a piece of good news for Pakistan cricket, Abrar Ahmed, Aamer Jamal, and Kamran Ghulam have joined the squad ahead of the second Test of the two-match Test series against Bangladesh.

The Shan Masood-led side are likely to make a few changes to their Playing XI after a shocking defeat to Bangladesh in the first Test. Their decision to go with an all-pace attack totally backfired as Pakistan missed a specialist spinner in their ranks.

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Abrar Ahmed, Aamer Jamal, and Kamran Ghulam join the Pakistan squad

Abrar Ahmed, Aamir Jamal and Kamran Ghulam have joined the Pakistan Test squad ahead of the second Test match against Bangladesh, scheduled to take place at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from 30 August to 3 September #Cricket #PAKvBAN

— Saj Sadiq (@SajSadiqCricket) August 28, 2024

With these players joining the squad, the Men in Green are set to make a few changes to their Playing XI. Abrar Ahmed seems like a certainty as the Shan Masood-led side desperately needs a frontline spinner in the team.

Abrar Ahmed and Kamran Ghulam were released after the announcement of Playing XI for the first Test to play for the Shaheens against Bangladesh A.

Abrar Ahmed's impressive Test record

Abrar's absence, in particular, in the first Test was a huge surprise as he was Pakistan's only spinner in the Test squad. But Shan Masood-led side went in with an all-pace attack with an aim to use the seamer-friendly conditions in Rawalpindi.

However, the conditions turned out to be the opposite as the pitch became flat under the scorching sun. The four fast bowlers Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Ali, and Khurram Shahzad toiled hard without a result in their favour.

Abrar has a good Test record as he has picked up 38 wickets in six Tests so far at an average of 31.07. On the other hand, Kamran Ghulam is yet to make a Test debut. The middle-order batter has an impressive first-class record with an average of 49.17. He can also provide Pakistan with some useful left-arm spin.

Aamer Jamal's return is a huge boost for the Shan Masood-led side

Meanwhile, the return of Aamer Jamal into the squad is a huge boost for the Men in Green. Jamal had a fabulous start to his Test career in Australia where he was impressive with both bat and ball.

Being a bowling allrounder, he picked up 18 wickets in three Tests at an excellent average of 20.44. Jamal also impressed with the bat as he scored 143 runs at an average of 28.60.

Assistant coach Azhar Mahmood claimed during the first Test that Aamer Jamal would have made a difference had he been available for the first Test. If he is fit to play, he will walk into the Playing XI straight away.

The Shan Masood-led side are currently trailing 0-1 in the two-match Test series. They need to win the next Test match in order to level the series. The second Test will be played at the same venue and will begin on August 30.