Babar Azam. (Photo Source: ISHARA S. KODIKARA/AFP via Getty Images)
Star Pakistan batter Babar Azam is likely to retain his No. 4 position in the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh. There were talks of him moving up the order above captain Shan Masood but that is off the table. Meanwhile, Abdullah Shafique is expected to retain his spot in the playing XI despite a poor away series against Australia earlier in the year.
Young batter Muhammad Hurraira and leg-spinner Usama Mir are also expected to debut in the first Test. Meanwhile, pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah have guaranteed their position in the playing XI. As per reports, Pakistan will play three seamers and one spinner in the opening Test at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
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“Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and the third fast bowler will be Mir Hamza,” a source told Geo News.
The series against Bangladesh holds massive importance to Pakistan. After suffering a 0-3 defeat at the hands of Australia, there were talks of axing Masood as captain. However, the team management decided to give him some more time but the series against Bangladesh remains key, as it is likely to decide his future in captaincy. There’s pressure on Babar too after a poor series against Australia where the cricketer suffered against pacers.
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It has also been confirmed that no spectators will be allowed for the second Test at Karachi’s National Stadium as renovation work is currently ongoing ahead of the upcoming Champions Trophy. The second Test will begin on August 30 and after Bangladesh completes the Pakistan tour, they will visit India for a two-match Test series.
Pakistan squad
Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel, Aamir Jamal (subject to fitness), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Hurraira, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Bangladesh squad
Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Mahmudullah, Zakir Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan. Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nazmul Hossain, Nurul Hasan, Ebadot Hossain, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed and Khaled Ahmed.