PCB announces 17-member squad for Test series against Bangladesh

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a 17-member squad for the ICC World Test Championship fixtures against Bangladesh. 

The first Test will be played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from 21-25 August, followed by the second Test in Karachi from 30 August to 3 September.

The training camp for the Pakistan Test team will commence at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on 11 August, under the supervision of head coach Jason Gillespie and assistant coach Azhar Mahmood. The Bangladesh team is set to arrive in Islamabad early on 17 August and is expected to train later that afternoon.

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Shan Masood will lead the 17-member squad, with Saud Shakeel, a left-handed middle-order batter, appointed as vice-captain. This change aims to manage the workload of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Pakistan’s lead fast bowler, during a period from 21 August 2024 to 5 April 2025, in which Pakistan will play nine Tests, 14 T20Is, and at least 17 ODIs.

Of the 17 players selected, 13 were part of Pakistan’s last series against Australia in December/January 2023-24. Mohammad Huraira, Kamran Ghulam, and Mohammad Ali have earned their spots due to consistent performances in domestic cricket and with the Pakistan Shaheens. Naseem Shah returns to the red-ball side after a 13-month absence.

Imamul Haq, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Noman Ali, and Sajid Khan did not retain their places in the squad, while Hasan Ali and Mohammad Wasim Jnr were left out due to injuries.

Pakistan Squad:

- 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

PCB reveals revised schedule for Bangladesh ‘A’ series

The PCB has also announced that all matches for the Bangladesh 'A' men's cricket team's tour will take place at the Islamabad Club. 

The Bangladesh 'A' team is scheduled to arrive in Islamabad on Saturday, 10 August, to participate in a series comprising two four-day matches and three 50-over matches against the Pakistan Shaheens.

Originally planned for 6 August, their travel was postponed due to political turbulence in Bangladesh.

Revised Series Schedule:

- 10 Aug – Arrival in Islamabad

- 13-16 Aug – 1st four-day match vs Pakistan Shaheens

- 20-23 Aug – 2nd four-day match vs Pakistan Shaheens

- 26 Aug – 1st 50-over match vs Pakistan Shaheens

- 28 Aug – 2nd 50-over match vs Pakistan Shaheens

- 30 Aug – 3rd 50-over match vs Pakistan Shaheens