Pakistan Names New Vice-Captain In Test Squad Against Bangladesh

07.08.2024 - 17:16 sports.ndtv.com

Pakistan have promoted Saud Shakeel to the role of vice-captain as the Pakistan Cricket Board announced a 17-player squad for their two-match Test series against Bangladesh that commences later this month.

Shakeel will take over the crucial job of vice captain from Shaheen Afridi, with selectors advising the star quick to have his workload managed over the coming months, with the side scheduled to play nine Tests, 14 T20Is, and at least 17 ODIs between now and the start of April next year, as per the ICC.

The promotion of Shakeel to partner skipper Shan Masood in the leadership positions is among the biggest surprises from Pakistan's announcement, as the Asian side named a new-look 17-player squad for their first Test series under head coach Jason Gillespie.

Opener Imam-ul-Haq drops out of the squad completely, Hasan Ali and Mohammad Wasim Jr aren't considered due to injury, while Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Noman Ali and Sajid Khan are all notable absentees for the first squad selected by Gillespie.

cricket Pakistan Cricket Team Shaheen Afridi Babar Azam Jason Gillespie Shan Masood Mohammad Nawaz Australia Bangladesh Pakistan

Pakistan batter Babar Azam is going through a poor run of form, especially in Test cricket. He has failed to register any fifty in his last 14 Test innings. It was in December 2022 when Babar hit 161 against New Zealand in a Test in Karachi but since then he has struggled to get runs under his belt. He scored only 289 runs in the last 14 innings at an average of 20.64. In the two innings of the first Test against Bangladesh, Babar scored 0 and 22. The fans on social media lashed out at the former Pakistan captain for his failure.

'My Heart Is Full': Pakistan Pacer Shaheen Afridi On Birth Of His Son Aliyaar

Pakistan pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi said his heart is full and he will forever be thankful to his wife Ansha Afridi after the couple welcomed their first child - Aliyaar. Taking to social media, Shaheen, expressed his gratitude to his supporters for extending their wishes on the addition of a new member to his family. "This moment changes everything! My heart is full and my life just got a whole lot better. 24/08/2024 will always be special to us. Welcome to the world my son, Aliyaar Afridi. I will forever be thankful to my wife for all the pain and suffering she had to endure. She is literally the support system of our little family. I am grateful for all the lovely wishes and prayers coming our way. Remember my little family in your prayers," Shaheen wrote in the post.

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