The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made a strategic move by releasing spinner Abrar Ahmed and top-order batter Kamran Ghulam from the Pakistan squad for the first Test against Bangladesh. This decision stems from the selectors’ preference for an all-pace attack in the opening match of the ICC World Test Championship.
To ensure that Ahmed and Ghulam maintain match fitness, they have been included in the Pakistan Shaheens squad for the second four-day match against Bangladesh ‘A’, commencing on August 20 at the Islamabad Club. Ghulam has been appointed as the captain of the Shaheens for this encounter.
The PCB’s decision to release Ahmed and Ghulam from the Test squad is aimed at providing them with valuable match practice ahead of the second Test, which will be played in Karachi from August 30. This move will allow them to regain their rhythm and prepare for the challenges of the upcoming Test.
As a result of these changes, the Pakistan Test squad has been reduced to 15 players. However, it will revert to its original strength of 17 players after the conclusion of the second four-day match, when Ahmed and Ghulam will rejoin the side for the Karachi Test.
Several players have been transferred between the Pakistan Test and Shaheens squads. Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Saud Shakeel have joined the Test side, while Mohammad Rameez Jnr has been omitted from the Shaheens squad for the second four-day match.
The Shaheens squad for the second four-day match has been bolstered by the inclusion of Abrar Ahmed, Ali Zaryab Asif, Awais Anwar, Imam Ul Haq, Niaz Khan, Qasim Akram, Rohail Nazir, and Sharoon Siraj. These players will replace the eight players who have joined the Test side.
