Pakistan add Abrar Ahmed, Kamran Ghulam to their squad for second Test against Bangladesh

Pakistan cricket team. (Photo source: X(Twitter)

A wounded Pakistan (PAK) side will look to square the two-match Test series against Bangladesh (BAN) in Rawalpindi, starting on Friday, August 30. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selectors have added more depth to the side for the second Test by including Abrar Ahmed and Kamran Ghulam.

Both players were released from the side ahead of the first Test and they featured for Pakistan Shaheens in a four-day game against Bangladesh ‘A’ at the Islamabad Club from August 20 to August 23. Also, Shaheen Afridi, who was released from the squad at the conclusion of the first Test, linked up with the squad on Tuesday, August 27. The left-arm pacer recently became a father for the first time as his wife, Ansha Afridi, gave birth to a baby boy named, Ali Yar.

Meanwhile, Aamir Jamal, who had been released from the squad to work on his fitness at the NCA, has been recalled. However, the bowling all-rounder’s involvement in the second Test will remain subject to fitness clearance. Jamal had a phenomenal debut Test series in Australia earlier this year and will be eager to replicate the same form against Bangladesh.

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Bangladesh beat Pakistan for first time in Tests

Visiting side Bangladesh scripted history in the first Test at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Najmul Hossain Shanto’s men conceded 448 runs in the first innings before Pakistan declared. In reply, the tourists amassed 565 in their batting essay. The match seemed to be headed for a draw but Bangladeshi bowlers turned the game on its head on Day 5 and accounted for nine wickets inside two sessions.

Chasing a paltry target of 30 runs in the fourth innings, the visitors romped home with all 10 wickets intact. This was their first win in the format against Pakistan. They will be upbeat about their chances of registering a rare series win with a strong performance in the second Test.

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Pakistan squad for Second Test:

Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamir Jamal* (subject to fitness), Abrar Ahmed, Abdullah Shafique, 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) and Shaheen Shah Afridi.