Star players set to be axed as Pakistan Test team to be revamped ahead of Bangladesh series

Pakistan National Cricket Team is all set to lock horns with the Bangladesh National Cricket Team for the two-match Test series in August this month. As per the reports in Cricket Pakistan, it is learned that massive changes are set to take place in the squad led by Shan Masood.

As per the reports, the Pakistan Cricket Board will be announcing the squad shortly after having consultation with head coach Jason Gillespie, who will be returning to Pakistan soon. The coach is currently with the Pakistan Shaheens teams in Darwin and will be heading back soon.

Jason Gillespie is coaching Pakistan Shaheens as the team is locking horns with Bangladesh A. He is set to return to Pakistan after the second four-day match between the teams. After he arrives in Pakistan, there will be some serious discussions related to the squad, which is expected to see major changes from the last series.

As per the reports, it is learned that some of the key players are all set to be dropped from the team based on their poor form and fitness issues. The likes of Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Saim Ayub, and Nauman Ali are unlikely to retain their place in the team for the two-match Test series.

Apart from this, it is also learned that young players Mohammad Huraira and Sahibzada Farhan are likely to be included in the team. Senior opener Imam-Ul-Haq has also come under a lot of scans for his poor form, and discussions related to his place in the team will be taking place.

Discussions are also all set to take place over the inclusion of Aamer Jamal and Hasan Ali in the squad for the two Tests against Bangladesh. The duo has been battling with the injuries and the final decision related to their inclusion in the team will be taken after their fitness assessments.

Ahead of the Test series against Bangladesh, Pakistan will be having a training camp in the second week of August. This will be the first time since January that Test cricket will be played in Pakistan, with Australia touring last time.

Shan Masood would be keen to make an impact as Test captain. He would be eager to bring smiles to the faces of fans after the tough last few months. Pakistan's white-ball team has been having a horrible time under the leadership of Babar Azam for the last few months. They recently faced an early exit from the ICC T20 World Cup 2024 and faced a lot of criticism.

But on the other hand, Shan Masood would be keen to make an impact in red-ball. This will be Shan Masood’s second assignment after being named captain last year. He first led the side against Australia in a three-Test series which Pakistan lost by 3-0 in Australia. But with home series now, he will have a great opportunity to register his first win.

Schedule of Pakistan vs Bangladesh Test

Here's the Schedule of the Pakistan vs Bangladesh Test

• 21-25 Aug – First Test, Rawalpindi

• 30 Aug -3 Sep – Second Test, Karachi