Pakistan Playing XI vs Bangladesh for 1st Test announced
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| Babar Azam / Getty Images |
Pakistan fast-bowling allrounder Aamer Jamal has been ruled out of the two-Test series against Bangladesh due to a lingering back injury, the PCB confirmed on Monday.
Jamal, who was Pakistan’s top wicket-taker during their 2023-24 series in Australia, has been struggling with lower back issues since May, which also cut short his stint with Warwickshire. Initially included in the squad, Jamal’s participation was contingent on fitness clearance, but he will now miss both Tests, including the series opener in Rawalpindi on August 21.
In his absence, Pakistan announced their XI for the first Test, with Saim Ayub retaining his place as the opener after making his debut against Australia earlier this year. Muhammad Hurraira, despite his impressive domestic form, will have to wait for his debut. Saud Shakeel has been named vice-captain, and Naseem Shah returns to the side after being out since July 2023. Pakistan is expected to field an all-seam attack in Rawalpindi, with no replacement named for Jamal.
Pakistan XI v Bangladesh : Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel (vc), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali.
