Sylhet: Pakistan are likely to make two changes to their playing XI for the second and final Test of the series against Bangladesh at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
According to sources, top-order batsman Babar Azam is expected to return to the squad in place of opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq after he was ruled out of the first Test due to a knee injury.
Imam struggled for runs in the series opener, scoring 45 off 72 balls in the first innings, including six fours, before managing just two runs in the second innings.
Pakistan are also expected to change their batting line-up. Captain Shaun Masood is likely to open the innings alongside century-scorer Azan Awais, while Abdullah Fazal is set to bat at number three after scoring two half-centuries in the first Test. Babar is expected to finish fourth.
Meanwhile, sources have suggested a change in the bowling attack as well, with left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Afridi likely to replace pacer Khurram Shahzad.
Shaheen had a respectable performance in the first Test, picking up five wickets overall – three in the first innings and two in the second.
However, despite a disappointing opening Test, middle-order batsman South Shakeel and wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan are expected to retain their places.
The final playing XI is expected to be confirmed at the start of the tournament.
For the uninitiated, Bangladesh created history by beating Pakistan by 104 runs in the first Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, registering their first ever home Test win against Pakistan.
Chasing a target of 268, Pakistan looked good at 119/3 with debutant Abdullah Fazal and veteran all-rounder Salman Ali Agha.
However, Fazal’s dismissal in the 32nd over saw Pakistan bowl out for 163 in 21 overs for 6 for 44.
Earlier, Bangladesh scored 413 in their first innings, bolstered by captain Najmul Hossain Santo’s century and Mominul Haq’s 91.
Pakistan replied with 386 runs, thanks to Azan Awais’ maiden century and valuable contributions from Abdullah Fazal and Mohammad Rizwan.
The win lifted Bangladesh to sixth place in the ICC World Test Championship rankings with 16 points and a win percentage of 44.44 after three matches.
Pakistan, meanwhile, slipped to seventh place with 12 points and a win percentage of 33.33, with one win and two losses from three matches.
Grandmother of Abdul Majid
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