The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has named Saud Shakeel, the newly appointed Test vice-captain, as the leader of the Pakistan Shaheens for their first four-day match against Bangladesh A. This announcement comes as part of the PCB’s strategy to provide more leadership experience to emerging players and to strengthen the overall team dynamic.
A Star-Studded Squad
The PCB has assembled a strong 15-member squad for the match, featuring several players who have recently represented Pakistan in Test cricket. The squad includes:
- Saud Shakeel (c)
- 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
This blend of experienced Test players and promising young talents aims to provide a competitive edge in the series against Bangladesh A.
Training and Preparation
The Pakistan Shaheens will begin their training session under head coach Umar Gul on Wednesday afternoon at the Islamabad Club. Jason Gillespie and Azhar Mahmood, who are part of the national team’s coaching staff, will assist Umar Gul during the initial training sessions before focusing on the national side’s camp starting on August 11.
Replacements and Revised Schedule
Following the first four-day match, the eight Test probables—Kamran Ghulam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, and Sarfaraz Ahmed—will join the national side for their upcoming assignments. The PCB will announce replacements for these players in the Pakistan Shaheens squad for the remaining matches against Bangladesh A.
The PCB is also coordinating with the Bangladesh Cricket Board to finalize the revised schedule for the series, which will be announced shortly.
Leadership and Expectations
Saud Shakeel’s appointment as captain is seen as a strategic move to groom him for future leadership roles. His consistent performance and ability to handle pressure make him a suitable choice for this responsibility.
The inclusion of senior players like Sarfaraz Ahmed, who brings a wealth of experience and leadership, will provide valuable support to Shakeel. Sarfaraz’s role as a mentor and guide will be crucial in navigating the team through the series.
Building Momentum
The series against Bangladesh A provides an excellent opportunity for the players to build momentum ahead of the more significant challenges in the international calendar. The performance in these matches will be closely monitored, with the selectors looking to identify players who can make an impact at the highest level.
With a well-balanced squad and strong leadership, Pakistan Shaheens are poised to deliver a competitive performance against Bangladesh A. The series will not only test the players’ skills and resilience but also their ability to work as a cohesive unit under Saud Shakeel’s captaincy. The upcoming matches promise to be an exciting showcase of emerging cricket talent from Pakistan.
