Shan Masood bluntly claims new Pakistan pacers can replace Shaheen Afridi and win Test matches

Pakistan captain Shan Masood believes that Pakistan have an exciting battery of fast bowlers and they can all win games for Pakistan whenever given an opportunity. Masood feels that all the quicks have something different to offer and are capable of picking up 20 wickets.

Pakistan have picked six fast bowlers in their squad for the home Test series against Bangladesh. Those bowlers are Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mir Hamza, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali, and Aamer Jamal. While five of these are proper fast bowlers, Aamer Jamal is a bowling allrounder.

It is unusual to have six fast bowlers in the squad for a series in the subcontinent. But Pakistan do not have any other option as they have only one international quality spinner in the form of Abrar Ahmed.

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Shan Masood expresses 'confidence' in Pakistan's fast bowlers despite a depleted spin attack

During a conversation with Bazid Khan on the PCB podcast, Shan Masood lauded Pakistan's pace attack as he claimed all the six fast bowlers can make it to the Playing XI. He further added that the pacers on the bench have the ability to replace those in the Playing XI anytime and win matches for the team.

“But the exciting part is that in our current squad, we’ve got six exciting fast bowlers. All six of them can make a claim for the playing XI, and all six offer something different. Wherever someone is required, and if it allows us to rest one of our premier bowlers, I think we’ll be in good stead, and it will give experience to the ones who play,” Shan Masood said.

“We’re equally confident that the ones who step in—the new guys like Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Muhammad Ali, and even Aamer Jamal to an extent — when they step in, whether Shaheen or Naseem Shah or another isn’t available, they all offer something that can win Pakistan games and pick those 20 crucial wickets,” Shan Masood added.

The fast bowlers who are likely to feature in the opening Test match against Bangladesh are Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Mir Hamza. Abrar Ahmed is likely to play as the lone specialist spinner. There is also the possibility of Aamer Jamal featuring in the match depending upon his fitness.

“You have to manage their (pacers) workload" - Shan Masood

The Pakistan captain Shan Masood also shared his viewpoint on managing the workload of his fast bowlers. He reasoned why Shaheen Afridi was rested for the third Test against Australia in the last series.

“You have to manage their [pacers] workload. Like with Shaheen Afridi in Australia — he played two Test matches on the bounce, and we had to rest him for the third one because there was a heavy schedule coming up for him. We’ll keep looking at that,” Masood added.

Shaheen Afridi played the first two Tests of the series and picked up 8 wickets at an average of 41.62. The lack of penetration cost Pakistan as they were clean-swept by Australia in the series 0-3.

Pakistan's upcoming schedule

The two-match Test series between Pakistan and Bangladesh will begin on August 21 in Rawalpindi. After the series against Bangladesh, Pakistan will host England for a three-match Test series.

Afterward, they will play an away Test series of two matches in South Africa before returning to Pakistan for a two-match Test series.