Bangladesh upset a formidable residence crew with a scientific ten-wicket show within the first Take a look at — their first win in over 14 encounters in opposition to Pakistan, as Afridi struggled to seek out his rhythm via a lot of the innings.
Now former Pakistan batsman Ahmad Shahzad has questioned the choice to drop Afridi from the crew.
Taking to his official X deal with, Ahmad Shahzad mentioned in a video, “You first misplaced to Zimbabwe, then misplaced to Eire, misplaced to USA, misplaced to India, now you may have misplaced to Bangladesh as properly. Is Shaheen Afridi solely accountable for all these defeats? No, he’s not solely accountable. All ought to be questioned who have been concerned in these defeats. Inform this nation. Holding Shaheen Afridi alone accountable for all of the defeats is unsuitable. Take a look at his performances, there’s an issue in his angle, you dropped him, that is high-quality. However what about others? What about their performances? What’s the efficiency of Abdullah Shafique within the final 8 matches? You may have introduced in Saim Ayub again after 25 matches, what’s his efficiency? What is the efficiency of Babar Azam within the final 14 innings in Checks?”
“So by dropping solely Afridi won’t Pakistan heading in the right direction, you’ll have to take some harsh choices. And people who have been concerned in these defeats with poor performances also needs to be questioned. In addition they ought to be held accountable, as a result of no one is beiger than cricket or the nation. Nation comes first, every thing comes after that. Regardless of how are their public relations, irrespective of how a lot they cover behind their private milestones, irrespective of how a lot cash they put in, however we all know every thing and those that are on the helm of affairs within the PCB, their additionally know every thing. So the time has come that not only one, should you actually need to transfer in the correct route, query all those that have been concerned. Issues won’t work like this,” Ahmad Shahzad mentioned.
Pakistan have been struggling via a lean spell of late, bowing out early on this 12 months’s T20 World Cup. Their final Take a look at collection was a whitewash in a three-match tour to Australia.
The house crew have recalled spinner Abrar Ahmed after going with an all-pace assault within the first Take a look at.
Former Australian pacer Gillespie admitted it is going to be a problem to sq. the collection, however he backed under-pressure skipper Shan Masood who failed with the bat with six and 14 within the first match, and has misplaced all 4 of his Checks as captain.
Pakistan have been rattled by the Bangladesh response to their first-innings whole of 448-6 declared, crumbling for a paltry 146 of their second outing.
An excellent 191 by Mushfiqur Rahim on a flat Rawalpindi pitch helped the guests rack up their highest-ever whole in opposition to Pakistan of 565 to take an important 117-run first-innings lead.
Spinners Mehidy Hasan Miraz (4-21) and Shakib Al Hasan (3-44) then rocked the hosts and made them rue not enjoying a frontline spinner.
Since gaining Take a look at standing in 2000, Bangladesh have solely received two of their 32 abroad collection with wins within the West Indies (2009) and Zimbabwe (2021), drawing three and shedding 27.
Bangladesh’s tempo assault will likely be boosted by the return of skilled Taskin Ahmed who recovered from a shoulder damage however could have a tie with Nahid Rana for a spot within the eleven.
Squads:
Pakistan: Shan Masood (C), Saud Shakeel (VC), Abrar Ahmed, Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub and Salman Ali Agha
Bangladesh: Najmul Hossain Shanto (C), Mahmudul Hasan Pleasure, Zakir Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Kumer Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Nahid Rana, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Syed Khaled Ahmed
