Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed congratulated Saud Shakeel on being named as the vice-captain of the Test team and lauded the cricket board for their decision to groom a young player this way. However, on Wednesday, August 7, Pakistan announced a 17-member squad for the two-match Test series against Bangladesh as well where the first game is slated to begin on August 21 in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, followed by another match in Karachi, beginning on August 30 as well. And, Sarfaraz Ahmed is also in the 17-member squad.
While speaking to reporters at the Islamabad Club Cricket Oval, he said (via Pakistan newspaper Dawn), “First of all, congratulations to Saud. To be vice-captain of the national team is a huge honor. It’s a commendable initiative by the cricket board to groom such a junior player who has been leading at lower levels. Saud has been captaining since the U-19 level and has led Sindh to the T20 championship title.”
However, the youngster made his Test debut in 2022 in a game against England. He has represented his nation in 10 Tests, scoring 967 runs at an average of 60.44, including two centuries as well. Shakeel will be looking to continue his stunning form in the coming series while having added responsibility on his shoulders. In the same interview, Sarfraz Ahmed added that it was a good sign for Pakistan cricket as the domestic performance has become the way to select for the senior team.
He said: “It’s a positive initiative that domestic performers and Pakistan Shaheens are getting opportunities. Some players have already made their place, and we hope that more will get their chance in the future. It’s a good sign that domestic performers are being valued and becoming part of Pakistan’s [senior] team.”
Pakistan squad for the two-match Test series against Bangladesh:
Shan Masood (c), Saud Shakeel (vc), Aamir Jamal (subject to Fitness), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam,
Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saim Ayub, Naseem Shah, Salman Ali Agha,
Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), and Shaheen Afridi.
