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Pakistan has officially announced its squad for the first Test match against Bangladesh, which will be played on August 21 at the Pindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi.
This is the first time that Shan Masood will lead the national team in a domestic series and he will be the captain of a team that is a mix of experienced and emerging talents.
Joining him at the top of the list is Abdullah Shafiq, while the batting line-up has been further strengthened by the addition of Saud Shakir and Babar Azam, the latter known for his consistent performances.
In terms of fast bowling, Shaheen Shah Afridi will lead the attack and he will be supported by Naseem Shah, Mohammad Ali and rising star Khurram Shahzad.
The four fast bowlers are expected to play a crucial role on the Rawalpindi track as they are known to assist the fast bowlers. Meanwhile, all-rounder Salman Ali Agar, the team’s only spinner, will look to balance the game with his ability to contribute in both disciplines.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan has also been included in the squad, bringing solid wicketkeeping skills and excellent batting abilities to the middle order.
Notably, this was also Jason Gillespie’s first Test match as head coach of the Pakistan cricket team, which added another layer of anticipation to the tournament.
Earlier, all-rounder Aamer Jamal withdrew from the squad due to a back injury. Jamal, 28, was initially included in the squad but was required to undergo a fitness test after he was injured while playing county cricket for Warwickshire. However, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) later confirmed his withdrawal from the squad and advised him to concentrate on his rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.
“Amir is currently recovering from a back injury he sustained while playing Test cricket this year,” the cricket board said in a statement.
Pakistan’s first Test match XI:
Abdullah Shafiq
Saim Ayub
Shan Masood (Captain)
Babar Azam
Saudi Shakir
Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
Salman Ali Agha
Shaheen Afridi
Nasim Shah
Muhammad Ali
Khurram Shahzad
Series Schedule:
First test: August 21-25, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
Second test: August 30-September 4, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
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