Repercussions of getting knocked out of the T20 World Cup? Days after the Pakistan cricket team bowed out of the mega-tournament from the group stage, we are hearing the three mega stars, Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, and Mohammad Rizwan, won’t feature in the Test series against Bangladesh at home in August.
According to a report by GeoSuper, Test captain Shan Masood and head coach Jason Gillespie have formed a selection committee, which has started discussion about the squad for the 2-match Pakistan vs Bangladesh series. The sources have indicated that Rizwan, Babar, and Shaheen may be rested for the series, while Haris Rauf wasn’t even considered, having expressed no desire to play the longer format last year.
Sarfaraz Ahmed expected to return
With Mohammed Rizwan being rested, former skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed is also expected to return. The wicketkeeper batter last played a Test match in December at Perth and scored just 7 runs (3 and 4). Naseem Shah, who was injured during Pakistan’s last test, will also return, leading the bowling pack in Shaheen’s absence.
Khurram Shahzad is also expected to receive a maiden call, while Saud Shakeel, Abdullah Shafique, Salman Ali Agha, Shahnawaz Dahani, Mir Hamza, Khurram Shahzad, and Aamir Jamal are all expected to keep their spots.
Pakistan’s probable Test squad vs Bangladesh
Shan Masood (c), Imam-ul-Haq, Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Sajid Ali, Aamir Jamal, Naseem Shah, Shahnawaz Dahani, Mir Hamza, Khurram Shahzad,Abrar Ahmed, Noman Ali.