Captain Shan Masood, along with head coach Jason Gillespie and the selection committee, has initiated deliberations regarding Pakistan’s Test squad for the upcoming series against Bangladesh in August.
In a strategic move aimed at optimizing player performance and managing workload, discussions have centered around resting prominent figures from the white-ball setup, including Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi for this series. Haris Rauf is also slated to sit out. Instead, the focus has shifted to potential additions such as Saud Shakeel, Abdullah Shafique, Salman Ali Agha, and Sarfaraz Ahmed, who are being considered to bolster the squad.
The selection committee is placing special emphasis on fortifying the fast bowling contingent, evaluating the likes of Naseem Shah, Shahnawaz Dahani, Mir Hamza, Khurram Shahzad, and Aamir Jamal. These bowlers are being scrutinized for their ability to enhance Pakistan’s pace attack, crucial for success in the ICC World Test Championship cycle from 2023 to 2025.
This series holds significance as it marks Jason Gillespie’s inaugural assignment as head coach, coinciding with Shan Masood’s second series as captain. The overarching objective remains to strike a balance between experienced campaigners and emerging talents, ensuring a competitive squad capable of delivering strong performances against Bangladesh. This strategic approach not only aims to optimize player fitness and workload management but also to lay a robust foundation for future engagements.