Pakistan has announced their 17-player squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh, set to begin later this month. Notably, regular opener Imam-ul-Haq has been dropped from the squad, while Shan Masood will lead the team as the newly appointed captain.
Leadership Changes and Strategic Decisions
Shan Masood takes the helm as the captain of the Test side, with left-handed middle-order batter Saud Shakeel named as the vice-captain. This change is part of the selectors’ strategy to manage the workload of lead fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi, who is scheduled to play nine Tests, 14 T20Is, and at least 17 ODIs from August 21, 2024, to April 5, 2025. Saud Shakeel replaces Shaheen Afridi in the vice-captain role to ensure that Afridi can maintain peak performance across the busy schedule.
Squad Highlights
The squad includes 13 players who were part of Pakistan’s last Test series against Australia in December/January 2023-24. Among the new faces, Mohammad Huraira, Kamran Ghulam, and Mohammad Ali have been selected for their impressive performances in domestic cricket and for Pakistan Shaheens. Additionally, Naseem Shah makes his return to the red-ball format after a 13-month absence.
The squad announcement came with the surprising exclusion of Imam-ul-Haq, who has been a regular fixture in Pakistan’s Test lineup. The selectors’ decision reflects a strategic move to bring in fresh talent and perhaps address specific team dynamics and performance goals.
Detailed Squad List
- 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 (wicket-keeper)
- Naseem Shah
- Saim Ayub
- Salman Ali Agha
- Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicket-keeper)
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
Fixtures and Preparations
The first Test will take place at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from August 21 to 25, followed by the second Test at the Karachi National Stadium from August 30 to September 3. To prepare for the series, a training camp will commence at the Pindi Stadium on August 11. The camp will be supervised by red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie and assistant coach Azhar Mahmood.
The Bangladesh cricket team is scheduled to arrive in Islamabad on August 17 and will begin their training in the afternoon of the same day.
Strategic Focus and Player Development
The selection of Mohammad Huraira, Kamran Ghulam, and Mohammad Ali highlights the PCB’s focus on rewarding consistent performers in domestic cricket, aiming to bridge the gap between domestic and international play. The return of Naseem Shah also adds strength to the bowling attack, which will be crucial in the upcoming series.
The exclusion of Imam-ul-Haq and the appointment of new leadership reflect a broader strategy to rejuvenate the squad and inject new energy and tactics into the team’s approach. As Pakistan gears up for a busy international schedule, these strategic decisions aim to build a resilient and versatile squad capable of competing at the highest level.
The upcoming series against Bangladesh will not only test the mettle of the selected players but also serve as a significant step in Pakistan’s preparation for future international commitments, including the ICC events and bilateral series scheduled in the following months.
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