Pakistan has made a significant change to their squad ahead of the second Test against Bangladesh, set to begin on August 30 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Shaheen Shah Afridi, the team's star pacer, has been left out of the 12-member squad, a move that has caught the attention of cricket fans and analysts alike.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) revealed the revised squad, which now includes spinner Abrar Ahmed and left-arm pacer Mir Hamza. The decision to rest Afridi, who is a crucial part of Pakistan's bowling attack across all three formats, comes as he recently became a father.
According to Pakistan’s red-ball coach, Jason Gillespie, the team management wants to give Afridi some time to spend with his family.
Afridi’s performance in the first Test was below expectations, as he managed to take only two wickets in the first innings. His absence in the second Test could be a challenge for Pakistan as they aim to level the series after a shocking defeat in the first Test.
Pakistan faced a historic loss against Bangladesh in the opening Test of the series, marking their first-ever defeat against the Tigers.
Despite being in a strong position to secure a draw, Pakistan’s batting lineup collapsed on the final day, struggling against Bangladesh’s spinners and posting just 146 runs. This left Bangladesh with a simple 30-run target, which they chased down with ease.
As the team gears up for the second Test, Pakistan will be looking to bounce back and avoid a series loss. The squad, led by captain Shan Masood and vice-captain Saud Shakeel, includes seasoned players like Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, alongside emerging talents such as Saim Ayub and Khurram Shehzad.
Pakistan’s 12-Member Squad for Second Test:
- Shan Masood (c)
- Saud Shakeel (vc)
- Abrar Ahmed
- Mohammad Ali
- Salman Ali Agha
- Saim Ayub
- Babar Azam
- Mir Hamza
- Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
- Abdullah Shafique
- Naseem Shah
- Khurram Shehzad
With a revamped squad and the pressure to perform, Pakistan will aim to put their best foot forward in the upcoming match. Cricket enthusiasts will be keenly watching to see how the team adapts without Afridi and whether they can turn the series around.
