On Tuesday, Pakistan’s Test captain Shan Masood outlined his team’s ambitions for the upcoming home Test series against Bangladesh, which is set to begin on Wednesday, August 21.
Masood emphasized his confidence in Pakistan’s pace attack, stating, “The fast bowling of the Pakistan team is quite strong.”
He also addressed the decision to not include specialist spinners for the first Test at Pindi Stadium, explaining, “The reason for not opting for spinners is due to the pitch conditions here at Pindi Stadium, which do not support spin bowling.”
Regarding Imamul Haq’s absence from the squad, Masood clarified, “Imamul Haq has not been dropped but was given a rest.” This decision has been part of a broader strategy to ensure the team is in optimal form for the series.
Masood also discussed the role of all-rounder Aamer Jamal, noting, “Aamer Jamal could have made a significant impact on the team. We have decided on a replacement for him, which is why Muhammad Ali has been included.”
On the topic of opener Saim Ayub, Masood defended the decision to retain him in the squad despite his recent performance.
“Instead of dropping Saim Ayub after just one Test, we’ve chosen to keep him in the team to give him a chance to perform well,” he said.
The captain expressed strong confidence in his team’s abilities and reaffirmed his determination to secure positive results against Bangladesh in the Test series.
