Pakistan are set to unleash a pace-heavy attack as they named their playing XI for the opening Test against Bangladesh in Rawalpindi. Earlier, the hosts released Abrar Ahmed and Kamran Ghulam from the squad for Pakistan Shaheens’ second four-day game against Bangladesh A. All-rounder Aamer Jamal was also released from the squad.

Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Ali are the four genuine speedsters in the lineup for the home team. Saud Shakeel and Salman Ali Agha should be the spin-bowling options, while the likes of Babar Azam and Saim Ayub can also roll their arms over.

Naseem has fond memories of playing against the Tigers in Rawalpindi. Back in 2020, he became the youngest to take a Test hat-trick at the age of 16. He dismissed Najmul Hossain Shanto, Taijul Islam and Mahmudullah Riyad and guided Pakistan through to a win by an innings and 44 runs.

Shan Masood had a challenging time on the tour of Australia after he took over from Babar Azam as the skipper of the Test team. Babar, himself, hasn’t been amongst the runs in Test cricket, and he would be looking to return to his best.

Pakistan’s opening Test against Shanto’s Bangladesh starts on Wednesday, August 21 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.

Rawalpindi will also be the hosts for the second Test after the match was shifted out of Karachi due to the construction work in place at the National Stadium.

Pakistan have won 12 out of 13 Test matches against Bangladesh. The only time Pakistan could not win was in 2015 when the Khulna Test ended in a draw.

Pakistan’s playing XI for 1st Test against Bangladesh

Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood (C), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel (VC), Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali