The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled a 17-member squad for the Green Shirts’ upcoming Test series against Bangladesh, scheduled to take place in Rawalpindi and Karachi. The first Test will be held at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from August 21 to 25, while the second Test is set for Karachi from August 30 to September 3.
In preparation for the series, the PCB has scheduled a training camp starting August 11 at Pindi Stadium. This camp will be overseen by red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie and assistant coach Azhar Mahmood.
The Bangladesh cricket team is expected to arrive in Islamabad early on August 17 and will commence their training later that day.
Shan Masood will lead the Pakistan squad, with Saud Shakeel named as vice-captain. Shakeel’s appointment comes as part of a strategic move by the selectors to manage Shaheen Shah Afridi’s workload over the upcoming season. From August 21, 2024, to April 5, 2025, Pakistan is set to play nine Tests, 14 T20Is, and at least 17 ODIs.
Among the 17 players selected, 13 were part of Pakistan’s previous series against Australia in December/January 2023-24. New additions to the squad include Mohammad Huraira, Kamran Ghulam, and Mohammad Ali, who have been recognized for their strong performances in domestic cricket and with Pakistan Shaheens. Naseem Shah is making a return to Test cricket after a 13-month absence.
The squad is as follows:
- Shan Masood (captain)
- Saud Shakeel (vice-captain)
- Aamir Jamal (subject to fitness)
- Abdullah Shafique
- Abrar Ahmed
- Babar Azam
- Kamran Ghulam
- Khurram Shahzad
- Mir Hamza
- Mohammad Ali
- Mohammad Huraira
- Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper)
- Naseem Shah
- Saim Ayub
- Salman Ali Agha
- Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicket-keeper)
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
Fans and analysts alike will be keen to see how the team performs as they embark on what promises to be an exciting Test series.
