LAHORE – The Pakistan national cricket team is likely to see major changes for the upcoming home series against Bangladesh, with Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi expected to be dropped in favor of new players.
The decision comes in the wake of Pakistan’s disappointing performance in the T20 World Cup, where the team faced severe criticism after being eliminated in the first round.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) began preparations for the ICC Test Championship matches against Bangladesh, scheduled to be held on home soil.
The selection committee is in consultations with Test team captain Shan Masood and coach Jason Gillespie to finalize the squad.
PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi expressed his intention to give opportunities to new players against Bangladesh.
This has caused expectations that the home series would feature several young and emerging talents.
According to the sources, the fast bowler s include Shahnawaz Dahani, Amir Jamal, Khurram Shehzad, Mir Hamza and Naseem Shah. IT is likely that Haris Rauf will also dropped.
Besides it, Shaheen Shah Afridi is expected to be rested for the Test series.
The discussions are also ongoing regarding T20 and ODI team captain Babar Azam.
Test captain Shan Masood, according to the reports, prefers to go with former captain Sarfraz Ahmed as the wicketkeeper instead of Mohammad Rizwan for the home series.
Confirmed names for the final eleven in the home Test series against Bangladesh include Abdullah Shafique, Salman Ali Agha and Saud Shakeel whose performances have solidified their positions in the team.
