Owais lateef
Islamabad :Pakistan cricket team will take on Bangladesh in the first Test match starting tomorrow with four specialist fast bowlers. Captain Shan Masood will not have the support of a specialist spinner in the first five-day match. Pakistan’s spin department will rely on Salman Ali Agha, who is included in the team as a batting all-rounder.Shaheen Shah Afridi will lead the pace battery, supported by Naseem Shah, who made a name for himself by taking three wickets in a row on the same ground a few years ago. Muhammad Ali, who has been performing consistently in domestic cricket, and Khurram Shahzad, who made an impact on the tour of Australia last year, are the other two fast bowlers named in the team.Pakistan’s batting will rely on captain Shan Masood, experienced Babar Azam, and Saud Shakeel. Mohammad Rizwan will bat at number six and also provide wicket-keeping services. Stylish Saaim Ayub will open the innings with Abdullah Shafique.The announced XI includes Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel (vice-captain), Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Khurram Shahzad, Muhammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Naseem Shah, Saaim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.This is the first time Pakistan cricket team will have Jason Gillespie as their coach. Under Shan Masood’s captaincy, the Pakistan cricket team has been under constant pressure in the longer format. The national team suffered a humiliating defeat on the tour of Australia last year, the last time Pakistan XI wore the white jersey. Although Pakistan had several opportunities to win in those matches, they were squandered.Interestingly, Amir Jamal, the hero of the Australia series, has not been included in the team for the match against Bangladesh. This will be the first time Shan Masood will lead the team in a home series.
