The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have announced the Pakistan squad for the two-match Test series against Bangladesh, later this month.
The first Test match will be played at Rawalpindi, starting August 21, while the second Test will be played at Karachi, starting August 30.
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Several changes have been made to the squad from the last tour of Australia earlier this year, with Imam-ul-Haq, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Noman Ali and Sajid Khan failing to make it to the 17-memeber squad, while Hasan Ali and Mohammad Wasim miss out due to injury.
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Naseem Shah has made a return to the Test team after almost a year, while youngster Saud Shakeel has been given vice-captaincy responsibilities.
The series comes at a time when Bangladesh have seen nation-wide unrest, following protests which led to the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
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Pakistan Test squad for series against Bangladesh
Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamer Jamal (if fit), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Hurraira, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (WK), Shaheen Shah Afridi
Aamer Jamal, who was one of the stars in the series against Australia, has been included in the squad but his final spot in the team will be a subject of his fitness and recovery from injury.
Pakistan Shaheens squad vs Bangladesh A
Saud Shakeel (capt), 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
Saud Shakeel will lead the Shaheens squad of non-first team players, against Bangladesh A team. The date of the four-day match is set to be revised as there has been a delay in the arrival of the vistors due to the political situations in their country.
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Why is Shaheen Afridi not selected as the captain or vice-captain of the Pakistan Test team?
The PCB selectors have confirmed that Shan Masood will captain the side while Saud Shakeel has been appointed as the deputy (vice-captain) instead of Shaheen Shah Afridi.
According to a PCB statement, the selectors made the decision as a part of a workload management for the premier Pakistan fast bowler, 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, including the ICC Champions Trophy.
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