The Pakistan Shaheens cricket team will face Bangladesh ‘A’ in the first of two four-day matches starting Tuesday, August 13, at the Islamabad Club. The second match will follow at the same venue from August 20-23. Both teams recently competed in a two-match series in Darwin, Australia, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
Players and Preparation
Both teams feature players who will participate in the upcoming ICC World Test Championship series. This match serves as an important opportunity for players to prepare, as neither team has played a Test match since earlier this year. Pakistan’s last Test was against Australia, while Bangladesh faced Sri Lanka in their most recent Test series.
The Pakistan Shaheens squad includes eight Test probables: Saud Shakeel (captain), Kamran Ghulam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, and Sarfaraz Ahmed. Bangladesh ‘A’ features Hasan Mahmud, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Nayeem Hasan, and Zakir Hasan.
Captains’ Comments
Saud Shakeel, recently appointed vice-captain of the Pakistan Test team, leads the Shaheens and looks forward to this crucial series, which will help players gear up for the World Test Championship Tests. Anamul Haque, captain of Bangladesh ‘A’, expects a competitive series, highlighting the strength of Pakistan’s fast bowlers.
Squads for First Four-Day Match
Pakistan A Shaheens Squad:
- Saud Shakeel (captain)
- Kamran Ghulam
- Mehran Mumtaz
- Mir Hamza
- Mohammad Ali
- Mohammad Rameez Jnr
- Mohammad Huraira
- Naseem Shah
- Saad Baig (wicket-keeper)
- Saad Khan
- Saim Ayub
- Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicket-keeper)
- Umar Amin
Bangladesh ‘A’ Squad:
- Anamul Haque (captain)
- Hasan Mahmud
- Hasan Murad
- Mahidul Islam Ankon
- Mahmudul Hasan Joy
- Mominul Haque
- Mosaddek Hossain Saikat
- Mushfiqur Rahim
- Nayeem Hasan
- Rejaur Rahman Raja
- Ruyel Miah
- Sahadat Hossain
- Tanvir Islam
- Tanzim Hasan Sakib
- Zakir Hasan
Match Officials
- On-field umpires: Faisal Aafreedi and Imran Jawed
- Third umpire: Zulfiqar Jan
- Match referee: Nadeem Arshad
This series is an important step for both teams as they prepare for the ICC World Test Championship matches starting August 21 in Rawalpindi and Karachi.