Pakistan have officially announced their 17-member Test squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh, as well as a four-day red-ball game against Bangladesh A. Shan Masood, who recently led the side against Australia, will continue to don the captain’s hat. Despite Pakistan’s 3-0 series defeat to Australia under Masood’s maiden leadership stint, his captaincy and overall conduct received commendation from various quarters.
Spearheading the leadership group, Pakistan has decided to bring a slight change by appointing 28-year-old middle-order batsman Saud Shakeel as the vice-captain. Shakeel not only steps in as Masood’s deputy but is also set to lead the Pakistan Shaheens squad in the four-day match in Islamabad. This leadership role transition sees pacer Shaheen Afridi stepping aside from his vice-captain duties, a move aimed at managing his workload.
“Saud takes over from Shaheen Shah Afridi as part of the selectors’ strategic decision that is focused on managing Pakistan’s lead fast bowler’s workload during the period from 21 August 2024 to 5 April 2025, in which Pakistan is scheduled to play nine Tests, 14 T20Is, and at least 17 ODIs,” read the official PCB release regarding the leadership restructuring.
The Pakistan squad for the two-Test series against Bangladesh comprises Shan Masood (c), Saud Shakeel (vc), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Aamir Jamal (subject to fitness).
For the four-day match in Islamabad, the Pakistan Shaheens squad, led by Saud Shakeel, features Kamran Ghulam, Mehran Mumtaz, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rameez Jnr, Mohammad Huraira, Naseem Shah, Saad Baig (wicket-keeper), Saad Khan, Saim Ayub, Sameen Gul, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk) and Umar Amin.
The retained captain, Shan Masood, has had an intriguing journey with his first series that ended in a whitewash by the Australians. Even though the results were not in Pakistan’s favor, several cricketing pundits and former players appreciated Masood’s leadership demeanor and the way he handled the team during testing times. The upcoming series against Bangladesh will, therefore, be another litmus test for the 33-year-old left-handed opener, as he seeks redemption and aims to steer Pakistan back to winning ways.
Stepping up as vice-captain, Saud Shakeel has shown immense potential and promise, which earned him the nod from the selectors.
. Shakeel’s involvement as a leader will undoubtedly add value to the team dynamics, providing a fresh perspective alongside the experienced Masood. Furthermore, his appointment ensures that pace spearhead Shaheen Afridi is preserved for the grueling schedule ahead, focusing more on his primary role as a bowler.
This strategic rotation is pivotal considering the dense cricketing calendar laid out before Pakistan, which includes a mix of formats and a significant number of matches. Ensuring the players, especially the key ones like Shaheen Afridi, remain fit and in peak form will be crucial for Pakistan’s aspirations across all series and tournaments.
Pakistan’s inclusion of youngsters and budding talents like Saim Ayub, Mohammad Huraira, and the in-form Khurram Shahzad shows an attempt to build for the future. Continued support from seasoned campaigners like Babar Azam, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Mohammad Rizwan will be vital in nurturing these newcomers.
The four-day match against Bangladesh A will serve as an excellent platform for further honing skills and providing valuable game time to the less experienced squad members. Saud Shakeel, at the helm of the Shaheens, will look to lead by example and build a cohesive unit capable of stepping up to the national team requirements when called upon.
As Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) continues with its efforts to foster a high-performance environment, this squad announcement ends the speculation surrounding leadership changes and allows the players and fans to look forward to an exciting series against Bangladesh. The balance of experience and youth in this squad underscores the PCB’s vision of nurturing talent while maintaining competitive performance on the international stage.
In summary, with Shan Masood retaining his captaincy role, and Saud Shakeel stepping into leadership responsibilities alongside him, the Pakistani squad is all set to take on Bangladesh. The ensuing series promises to be a fascinating clash, as Pakistan looks to bounce back from their recent setbacks and forge a path of victory under new guidance and strategic foresight.
