Pakistan announce second Test squad against Bangladesh

Leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed, pace-bowling all-rounder Aamer Jamal, and top-order batter Kamran Ghulam have been added to the Pakistan squad for the upcoming second and final Test against Bangladesh. 

Despite scoring 448/6 before the declaration in the first innings, Pakistan surprisingly lost the two-match Test series opener against Bangladesh at Rawalpindi. After Bangladesh replied with 565 runs, the hosts were bundled out for only 146 runs on the final day. The visitors chased down the 30-run target without losing any wickets in the fourth innings.

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Karachi was the original host for the second Test

Karachi’s National Stadium was the original host for the second Test against Bangladesh. However, due to the ongoing reconstruction at the stadium, the second Test has been shifted to Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. 

The second Test will begin on August 30. It will be a must-win game for the hosts Pakistan to only secure the Test series by 1-1. Meanwhile, a draw will be enough for Bangladesh to create history by winning the Test series against Pakistan for the first time. However, Bangladesh will surely look for another win in the last Test to earn strong points for the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship. 

Abrar, Aamer, and Kamran joined the Pakistan team 

The leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed has joined the second Test squad. He last played a Test match in July 2023, when Pakistan travelled to Sri Lanka. 

Although Aamer Jamal was ruled out for the ongoing home Test series against Bangladesh due to an injury, he has been added to the second Test squad. However, his participation is "subject to fitness clearance." Aamer has played three Tests during the Pakistan tour of Australia 2023/24. In that series, Aamer scored 143 runs with one half-century and picked up 18 wickets. 

Top-order batter Kamran Ghulam has also been added to the Pakistan team. He has played one ODI for Pakistan in January 2023. 

Due to the birth of his son, Shaheen Shah Afridi left the squad after the first Test. However, the 24-year-old left-arm fast bowler has returned to the team on Tuesday (August 27) evening.  

Pakistan’s full squad for the second Test against Bangladesh at Rawalpindi

Shan Masood (Captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Aamir Jamal (subject to fitness), Abrar Ahmed, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicket-keeper), Shaheen Shah Afridi