Pakistan's top-order batsman Babar Azam is slated to occupy the number four position in the forthcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh, as reported by Geo News sources on Thursday. The sources confirmed to Geo News that Abdullah Shafiq's role as an opener remains secure, and Shan Masood will continue to bat at number three. Babar has predominantly played at number three in limited-overs cricket, but this pattern began to alter in Test cricket during Pakistan's tour of Australia in the previous year. In 2022, Babar batted at number three during Pakistan's tour of Sri Lanka and later in the second Test against England. However, he has now been moved to the number four slot in Pakistan's batting order.
The sources also highlighted that Muhammad Huraira is a likely contender for his debut in the Pakistan team against Bangladesh. Regarding the bowling lineup, the sources indicated that the pitch conditions will favor the bowlers, prompting Pakistan to include three fast bowlers and one spinner. 'Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and the third fast bowler will be Mir Hamza,' the sources informed Geo News. The Test series commences on August 21 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium and will be the inaugural assignment for new Pakistan Test coach, Jason Gillespie. The second Test is scheduled from August 30 to September 3 in Karachi.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) declared on Wednesday that spectators will be barred from the second Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh due to ongoing renovations at Karachi's National Stadium. The Test squads for Pakistan and Bangladesh are as follows: Pakistan: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel, Aamir Jamal (subject to fitness), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Hurraira, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed, and Shaheen Shah Afridi. Bangladesh: Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Mahmudullah, Zakir Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan. Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nazmul Hossain, Nurul Hasan, Ebadot Hossain, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed and Khaled Ahmed.
