Pakistan have announced their squad for the second Test match against Bangladesh, set to begin on August 30 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. Spinner Abrar Ahmed, who was notably absent from the first Test, has been recalled to the team. In addition to Abrar, batter Kamran Ghulam and fast bowler Aamir Jamal have also been included in the squad.

Response to first test defeat

The squad changes come in the wake of Pakistan’s shocking loss in the first Test, where they were defeated by 10 wickets. This was Pakistan’s first-ever Test loss to Bangladesh, a result that has prompted the team management to make crucial adjustments. Pakistan’s decision to declare in the first innings did not pay off, and the team is now looking to bounce back in the series decider.

Fitness concerns and squad updates

In a press release, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that Jamal’s participation in the second Test will depend on his fitness assessment. Jamal was earlier released from the squad to work on his fitness at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) but has now been recalled. The PCB also announced that both Abrar and Kamran, who were released from the Test squad before the first match, had featured for Pakistan Shaheens in a four-day game against Bangladesh ‘A’ at the Islamabad Club from August 20 to 23. Shaheen Afridi, who was released after the first Test, has also rejoined the squad.

“Abrar Ahmed and Kamran Ghulam were released from the Test squad before the start of the first Test match and featured for Pakistan Shaheens in a four-day game against Bangladesh ‘A’ at the Islamabad Club from 20 to 23 August. Also, Shaheen Shah Afridi, who was released from the squad at the conclusion of the first Test, has rejoined the squad on Tuesday evening,” the PCB said in a release.

“Meanwhile, Aamir Jamal, who had been released from the squad to work on his fitness at the NCA, has been recalled. Aamir’s participation in the second Test will remain subject to fitness clearance,” it further added.

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Pakistan’s squad for the 2nd Test against Bangladesh

The updated squad for the second Test includes:

Shan Masood (captain)
Saud Shakeel (vice-captain)
Aamir Jamal (subject to fitness)
Abrar Ahmed
Abdullah Shafique
Babar Azam
Kamran Ghulam
Khurram Shahzad
Mir Hamza
Mohammad Ali
Mohammad Huraira
Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper)
Naseem Shah
Saim Ayub
Salman Ali Agha
Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicket-keeper)
Shaheen Shah Afridi

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