In a big boost, Naseem Shah has returned to Pakistan’s Test squad for the upcoming two-match home Test series against Bangladesh. Pakistan named a 17-member squad for the Bangladesh series, with Saud Shakeel being appointed as the vice-captain of the side. Shakeel will take over the vice-captain role from pacer Shaheen Afridi.
Notable names such as Imam-ul-Haq, Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Nawaz have been overlooked, while there have been call-ups to batters Kamran Ghulam and Muhammad Hurraira, given their mammoth performance in domestic circuit. Pacer Mohammad Ali has also been called into the squad. Aamir Jamal has been added to the squad but his participation remains subject to fitness. The series commences on 21 August in Rawalpindi.
Pakistan Test Squad: Shan Masood (capt), Saud Shakeel (vice-capt), Aamir Jamal (subject to fitness), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Hurraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk) and Shaheen Shah Afridi