Babar among three players likely to be rested for BD Tests

KARACHI: Captain Shan Masood, head coach Jason Gillespie and the selection committee have begun discussions related to Pakistan squad for the Test series against Bangladesh in August, sources revealed on Wednesday.

Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi are likely to be rested for the Test matches against Bangladesh. Besides, Haris Rauf’s inclusion in the squad is not being considered.

Saud Shakeel, Abdullah Shafique, Salman Ali Agha and former skipper and wicketkeeper-batter Sarfaraz Ahmed are being considered for the final squad.As for the fast bowling department, Naseem Shah, Shahnawaz Dahani, Mir Hamza, Khurram Shahzad and Aamir Jamal are under consideration for selection.

Pakistan will host Bangladesh in August for a two-Test series and this series will be the first time since 2019-2020 that Pakistan will host the nation. The series is a part of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-2025.

This series will be Gillespie’s first assignment as head coach of the Pakistan Test team after his appointment in April and Masood’s second assignment after his appointment last year. He led the side against Australia in a three-Test series which Pakistan lost by 3-0 in Australia.

Masood is currently captaining the Yorkshire County Cricket Club in the County Championship.Pakistan were knocked out of the ongoing T20 World Cup in the initial group stage, whereas Bangladesh have qualified for the Super 8.