Former Pakistani cricketer Basit Ali blasts Pakistan management for dropping batting allrounder Kamran Ghulam and leg-spinner Abrar Ahmed from the Test against Bangladesh. The Test series between Pakistan and Bangladesh starts Today( 21 August).
The two-match Test series between Pakistan and Bangladesh will start on 21 August and end on 5 September 2024. While the Pakistani side will be led by Shan Masood, Najmul Hossain Shanto will captain the Bangladeshi side. Pakistan has the upper hand in the head-to-head Test matches against Bangladesh. Out of 13 Test matches, Pakistan has won 12 games, and one match ended in a draw.
Basit Ali States Spinner Roles In the Test Cricket As Crucial
Basit Ali, the former cricketer of Pakistan who also runs his YouTube channel, expressed his distress over team management’s decision to drop two players. The 53-year-old said that Abrar Ahmed’s absence from the Test squad against Bangladesh could ruin his confidence. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Basit Ali said that,
“I think it is a bad decision by the team management. Now it is being said that they released them so that they don’t need to sit out. The pitches won’t be like the England series this time because home advantage should be taken. By leaving out your main bowler and putting him in a side match, you are ruining his confidence.”
Furthermore, Basit Ali stated that Pakistan can have an easy way around Bangladesh in the home Test series. However, the presence of a spinner should be necessary in the squad according to the Pakistani legend. Basit Ali pointed out that pitches in Pakistan are versatile but spinners will play a role in the game. Justifying his statement Basit Ali mentioned Jason Gillespie’s presence in the Australian squad despite fast pitches in the country. In addition, he also mentioned Stuart MacGill and Shane Warne as spinners who represented Australia, along with, fast bowlers. Basit Ali said,
“Pakistan may win easily against Bangladesh. However, it is necessary to have a spinner in the squad. You can make any kind of pitch in Pakistan, but spinners will play a role. When Jason Gillespie played for Australia, did it ever happen that their team only had fast bowlers? There are very fast wickets over there. Be it in the form of Stuart MacGill or Shane Warne, there was a spinner.”
Pakistan vs Bangladesh Test Matches:
1st Test: 21 August-25 August, Venue: Rawalpindi
2nd Test: 30 August-3 September, Venue: Rawalpindi
Pakistan Squad:
Shan Masood (c), Saud Shakeel (vc), Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Shaheen Afridi.
Bangladesh Squad:
Najmul Hossain Shanto (C), Mahmudul Hasan 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, Syed Khaled Ahmed.
Pakistan Playing XI For First Test Against Bangladesh
Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel (vc), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Ali.
