Fast bowler Naseem Shah returns to the Pakistan Test squad for the two-Test series against Bangladesh after over a year out. The squad, announced for the series starting August 21, sees four changes from the last tour. Shan Masood continues as captain with Saud Shakeel as vice-captain. Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Ali, and Muhammad Hurraira are included after strong domestic and Shaheen performances.
Shakeel replaces Shaheen Shah Afridi as deputy to manage Afridi’s workload during a busy season featuring nine Tests, 14 T20Is, and 17 ODIs. Aamer Jamal, who impressed on the recent Australia tour, is included subject to fitness, having missed part of his county stint with an injury.
The squad is notably different from Pakistan's last Test assignment with seven changes. Imam-ul-Haq, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Noman Ali, and Sajid Khan are omitted. Hasan Ali and Mohammad Wasim are out with injuries.
Naseem Shah returns after a shoulder injury sidelined him for the ODI World Cup and the Australia tour. Ghulam has been in strong form domestically, while Hurraira is expected to open alongside Abdullah Shafique.
Pakistan will start training on August 11 in Rawalpindi. The first Test is in Rawalpindi from August 21-25, and the second Test in Karachi from August 30-September 3. A Pakistan Shaheens squad will play a four-day game against Bangladesh A, led by Shakeel, with revised dates to be announced.