New Delhi: Pakistan dropped pace ace Shaheen Shah Afridi from their must-win second Test against Bangladesh on Thursday in the face of all-round criticism for an embarrassing loss in the first game.
Pakistan lost the first Test by 10 wickets in Rawalpindi, their first loss to Bangladesh in 14 Tests, having won 12 and drawn once in previous meetings.
They need a win in the second Test in Rawalpindi that begins from Friday to avoid a humiliating home series loss against the minnows.
Pakistan’s decision to field four pacers in the first game backfired, inviting strong criticism from former players, who said it was a mistake not to go in with two spinners.
While explaining about the decision to drop Shaheen, new head coach Jason Gillispie said the left armer has made made aware of the situation and he will use the break to unwind with his family.
“We had a good conversation with him and he fully understands we are looking at the best combination for this game and the last few weeks have been interesting for him with fatherhood and other things, this break will allow him to spend time with his family,” Gillispie said at a pre-match media interaction.
‘Need to execute skills’
“Right now we feel we have all bases covered in our bowling attack,” he said, adding that said Shaheen will work with bowling coach Azhar Mahmood to regain his form and be at his best in the coming months.
Shaheen hasn’t been at his best due to a knee injury and has played in only six Tests since July 2022, owing to a knee injury.
The former Australian pacer also confirmed that all-rounder Aamer Jamal isn’t fit enough to play in the second Test.
“Look, Bangladesh played better cricket and won. There is nothing we can do about it now but we have to learn from our mistakes and hopefully apply those learnings in the second test,” Gillespie said.
“We are encouraging them to play with freedom and intent and show authentic skills. They just need to execute skill levels properly. We have to be consistent and ruthless with our basics.”
The Pakistan squad: Shan Masood (C), Saud Shakeel (VC), Abrar Ahmed, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha.
Bangladesh squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (C), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Kumer Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Nahid Rana, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Syed Khaled Ahmed.
Pakistan lost the first Test by 10 wickets in Rawalpindi, their first loss to Bangladesh in 14 Tests, having won 12 and drawn once in previous meetings. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
