First Test versus Bangladesh Babar Azam bats at ‘number four’

Pakistani star batsman Babar Azam will bat at number four in the first Test at home against Bangladesh, sources revealed Geo News on Thursday. While captain Shan Masood will bat at number three, sources say Abdullah Shafiq’s opener position is safe. Additionally, batter Muhammad Huraira is a strong debut candidate, sources say. Pakistan and Bangladesh will play two ICC World Test Championship matches in Rawalpindi and Karachi from August 21–25 and August 30–September 3, respectively.

The sources stated Pakistan will field three fast bowlers and one spinner in the opening Test match against Bangladesh since the pitch will benefit bowlers. They said Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Mir Hamza will be the quick bowlers. The Bangladesh men’s cricket team landed in Lahore from Dhaka on August 13 for the two-match Test series against Pakistan. The party was transported from Lahore’s Allama Iqbal International Airport to a private hotel under strong protection.

Squads

Pakistan: Shan Masood (captain), Saud Shakeel, Aamir Jamal (subject to fitness), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Hurraira, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi.

Bangladesh: Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain), Mahmudullah, Zakir Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan. Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nazmul Hossain, Nurul Hasan, Ebadot Hossain, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed and Khaled Ahmed.