RAWALPINDI: All-rounder Aamer Jamal has been omitted from Pakistan’s playing XI for the first Test of the two-match series against Bangladesh, set to begin on Wednesday. Additionally, Aamer has been dropped from the Pakistan squad altogether.
Aamer, who made an impressive debut series against Australia in December-January, will not feature in the first game as he recovers from a back injury sustained while playing county cricket this year. He is currently advised to focus on his fitness at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore, according to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Aamer’s absence sees pacer Mohammad Ali take his place. Ali, making his third Test appearance, replaces Aamer after consistent performances in domestic cricket. The pace attack for Pakistan will be led by Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah, with Khurram Shahzad also included after his recovery from injury.
Pakistan, captained by Shan Masood, will field an all-pace attack for the first Test, opting not to include a specialist spinner on a pitch expected to favor fast bowlers. Saim Ayub has been selected to open alongside Abdullah Shafique, while Babar Azam, Saud Shakil, Salman Ali Agha, and Mohammad Rizwan will form the middle order.
In contrast, Bangladesh’s squad includes two specialist spinners, Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Taijul Islam, along with veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan. Bangladesh head coach Chandika Hathurusinghe expressed confidence in his team’s fast bowlers, including Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, and Hasan Mahmud, despite the conditions in Rawalpindi.
Hathurusinghe emphasized that the selection of spinners was based on merit rather than pitch conditions, and he anticipates a balanced contest between bat and ball throughout the series.
