Pakistan Test squad for Bangladesh series announced; Shaheen Afridi faces a massive punishment

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has named the 17-member squad for the upcoming two-match series against Bangladesh, scheduled to be played at home.

Opener Shan Masood will lead the Pakistan red-ball side, and middle-order batter Saud Shakeel has been named vice-captain of the national cricket team.

The Pakistan team is scheduled to face Bangladesh in the two-match Test series starting August 21. The upcoming series is part of the 2023-25 ICC World Test Championship (WTC).

This series is the first assignment for Jason Gillespie as head coach for Pakistan's red-ball team, and Azhar Mahmood will assist him.

The first Test match will be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from August 21-25. Pakistan will play the second and final Test match at the National Stadium in Karachi from August 30 to September 3.

The Pakistan team will begin their training camp for the Test series in Rawalpindi on Sunday, August 11.

Saud Shakeel Replaces Shaheen Afridi As Pakistan Vice-Captain In Tests

The selection committee backed 13 players from the squad for their last series, where they suffered a recent 0-3 loss to Australia. Saud Shakeel has replaced Shaheen Afridi as vice-captain of the Test team.

Ace pacer Naseem Shah has returned to the Pakistan Test team after more than a year’s absence.

"Saud takes over from Shaheen Shah Afridi as part of the selectors’ strategic decision that is aimed at managing Pakistan’s lead fast bowler’s workload management during the period from 21 August 2024 to 5 April 2025 in which Pakistan is scheduled to play nine Tests, 14 T20Is and, at least, 17 ODIs," the PCB release read.

Mohammad Huraira, Kamran Ghulam, and Mohammad Ali have been included in the team following their consistent performances.

Huraira is yet to debut for Pakistan, while Ghulam played one ODI against New Zealand last year. Ali has appeared in two Tests for Pakistan against England in 2022.

Imam-ul-Haq, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Noman Ali, and Sajid Khan were not included in the Test squad. Hasan Ali and Mohammad Wasim Jr. are absent due to injuries. Aamer Jamal has been included in the squad, but his participation is subject to fitness.

Pakistan's squad for Test series vs Bangladesh: 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), Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Saud Shakeel To Lead Pakistan Shaheens Against Bangladesh A

Saud Shakeel will also lead Pakistan Shaheens in their opening four-day match against Bangladesh A. Test team members Kamran Ghulam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, and Sarfaraz Ahmed are part of the squad. They will join the national team after the match.

Pakistan Shaheens Squad: Saud Shakeel (captain), Kamran Ghulam, Mehran Mumtaz, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rameez Jnr, Mohammad Huraira, Naseem Shah, Saad Baig (wk), Saad Khan, Saim Ayub, Sameen Gul, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Umar Amin.

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