Srinagar: Senior wicketkeeper batter Sarfaraz Ahmad didnt make it to the squad as hosts Pakistan named its playing eleven for the first Test vs Bangladesh that starts on August 21.
In Shan Masood’s first home Test as Pakistan captain, team will go with an all-pace attack which features ace pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shehzad and Mir Hamza.
The batting lineup comprises of young openers Abdullah Shafique and Saim Ayub, followed by the skipper and star batter Babar Azam.
Newly-appointed vice-captain Saud Shakeel further bolsters the team’s middle order which also features wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha.
The series opener marks only the second instance when Pakistan will field an all-pace attack in a home Test in 28 years.
The last time Pakistan went with an all-pace attack was at the same venue in 2019 against Sri Lanka.
The two-match series part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) will run from August 21 to September 4 with both matches to be played at the same venue.
Pakistan’s Playing XI for the first Bangladesh Test: Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shehzad, Mohammad Ali.