ISLAMABAD: Newly-appointed Pakistan Test vice-captain is looking forward to leading the national development Shaheens in the first of the two four-day matches against Bangladesh ‘A’, which starts here at the Islamabad Club on Tuesday.

The match will provide Saud the opportunity to justify the national selectors’ decision of making him Pakistan’s deputy skipper, as well give few members of the senior side the cha­nce to warm-up for the Test ser­ies against Bangladesh, sche­duled to begin later this month.

Saud will lead the likes of former Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed and pacer Naseem Shah during the match, which will be the third fixture between the Shaheens and Bangladesh ‘A’ in less than a month — the first two played in Darwin, Australia.

“We haven’t played Test cricket or four-day cricket for quite some time, about six months,” Saud told reporters on the sidelines of the Shaheens camp on Monday. “So, this match will be very helpful beca­use our body adjusts according to the format we’re playing.

Click to see more

“Test cricket is completely different. This match will be very beneficial, and we hope it will help us in the Test series as well.”

Both Pakistan Shaheens and Bangladesh ‘A’ have packed their sides with players who will feature in the ICC World Test Championship fixtures, to be played in Rawalpindi and Karachi from August 21 and 30, respectively.

This is due to the fact that both Pakistan and Bangladesh have not played a Test since Jan­uary and March, respectively. Pakistan’s last Test was against Australia in Sydney, while Bangladesh’s previous appe­arance in the current World Test Championship cycle was against Sri Lanka at home.

Test probables in the Pakistan Shaheens are Saud Shakeel (captain), Kamran Ghulam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Saim Ayub, along with Naseem and Sarfraz.

Meanwhile, Hasan Mahmud, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Nayeem Hasan and Zakir Hasan are the Bangladesh ‘A’ players who will join the Test side following the four-day match.

Anamul Haque, who has represented Bangladesh in 74 international matches to date, will captain Bangladesh ‘A’.

“The Shaheens squad looks strong, especially the fast bowling department,” Anamul said in a statement. “With the highly experienced players on either side, the first four-dayer will be highly competitive.

“This series is also crucial for the Bangladesh players looking to prepare for the upcoming Test series and youngsters who aim to stake a claim in the senior side.”

Squads for first four-day match:

PAKISTAN SHAHEENS: Saud Shakeel (captain), Kamran Ghulam, Mehran Mumtaz, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rameez Jr, Mohammad Huraira, Naseem Shah, Saad Baig (wicket-keeper), Saad Khan, Saim Ayub, Sarfraz Ahmed (wicket-keeper), Umar Amin

BANGLADESH ‘A’: 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.

Published in Dawn, August 13th, 2024