The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced its 17-player squad for the two-match Test series against Bangladesh starting later this month.
With the announcement of this team, Saud Shakeel has been promoted as the vice-captain, who will take over this important responsibility in place of Shaheen Afridi. This decision is like a turning point for Pakistan cricket, and many strategic thoughts are also involved behind it.
The series will start on August 21 in Rawalpindi, and the second Test will be played in Karachi from August 30. Pakistan is currently placed fifth in the ICC World Test Championship table, and with two positive results against Bangladesh, it hopes to remain at the top spot.
Saud Shakeel’s vice-captaincy: The beginning of a new era
Saud Shakeel has been promoted as the vice-captain, who will take over this important responsibility in place of Shaheen Afridi. This selection signals a new direction for Pakistan cricket.
Shakeel, who has been in great form recently, will help take the team to new heights along with captain Shan Masood. Shaheen Afridi has to play in multiple formats in the upcoming months, and this decision has been taken to save him from additional pressure.
Major changes in the team
Some major changes have been made in the selection this time. Imam-ul-Haq has been completely dropped from the team, while Hasan Ali and Mohammad Wasim Jr. have not been included due to injury. Apart from this, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Noman Ali and Sajid Khan have also not got a place.
Instead, Pakistan has recalled fast bowlers Naseem Shah and Mohammad Ali to the team after a long time. Along with this, batsmen Mohammad Huraira and Kamran Ghulam have also got a chance in the team after excellent performance in domestic cricket.
Out of the new faces included in the team, 13 players were part of the recent Test series against Australia, while Huraira, Ghulam, Ali and Naseem are new faces for this series.
The selectors of Pakistan Cricket have given a clear indication that they are preparing for the future by giving a chance to new faces and appointing Saud Shakeel as the vice-captain.
The upcoming Bangladesh Test series will be an important challenge for Pakistan, where the team will get a full opportunity to improve its strategy and playing skills.
Pakistan squad: 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 Afridi
Series schedule:
First Test: Rawalpindi, August 21-25
Second Test: Karachi, August 30 – September 3
