Pakistan received a setback on Monday ahead of their upcoming Test series against Bangladesh, which is set to start on August 21. Right-arm fast bowler Aamir Jamal has been removed from the national Test squad due to fitness issues.
Originally included in the squad pending a fitness evaluation, Aamir Jamal has been advised by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to focus on his recovery at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore. The PCB stated that Jamal is dealing with a back injury sustained during his county cricket stint earlier this year.
“Aamir Jamal has been withdrawn from the Test squad for the series against Bangladesh. He was initially named subject to fitness clearance but has now been advised to continue his recovery at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore. He is recovering from a back injury incurred during county cricket this year,” confirmed the PCB.
In other news, the PCB announced on Sunday that the second Test of the Pakistan-Bangladesh series will be moved from Karachi to Rawalpindi. This decision is due to ongoing construction and renovations at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi, which is being prepared for the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025.
“To ensure uninterrupted construction at the National Bank Stadium and to guarantee the venue’s readiness for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the PCB has decided, after consulting stakeholders and evaluating operational and logistical considerations, to hold both Test matches in Rawalpindi,” stated the PCB.
As a result, Pakistan will now host both Tests in Rawalpindi while continuing preparations for their international commitments.
Pakistan’s Test squad: Shan Masood (c), Saud Shakeel (vc), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Bangladesh’s Test squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), n Joy, 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, and Syed Khaled Ahmed.
