The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced the squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka on Saturday. After a long injury, Shaheen Afridi returns to Pakistan’s Test Squad. The committee has also included uncapped batter Mohammad Huraira and all-rounder Aamir Jamal in the 16-strong squad. This Series will be Pakistan’s first assignment in the third cycle of the ICC World Test Championship. The squad has been designed according to Sri Lanka’s conditions. The team consists of four spinners, four fast bowlers, six specialist batters and two keeper-batters.
After returning to the Test Squad, Shaheen said “I am very excited to be returning to the Pakistan Test side after a year. I dearly missed Test cricket and it was tough for me to be away from this format.” Further, he added “After missing our entire home season because of the injury I suffered in Sri Lanka, I am eager to make an impactful comeback in the same country and complete a century of wickets in Test cricket. I want to thank my fans who have provided me support in tough times and I am ready for the challenges ahead.”
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Shaheen is one wicket away from reaching a century of Test wickets. And, no Pakistan bowler has picked up more wickets than him since the left-armer made his debut on 3 December 2018. In the longer format, Shaheen has an average of 24.86 and an economy of 3.04.
Mohammad Huraira and Aamir Jamal Stats
Huraira has played 24 first-class, 10 List A and six T20s. He has earned the spot after an impressive run. He was the leading run-scorer in the last two seasons of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. In the 2022-23 edition, the 21-year-old played an integral role in helping Northern to maiden first-class title. He was the only batter to reach the 1000-run mark. In 11 matches, Huraira smashed 1,024 runs at an average of 73.14 with four centuries and two half-centuries. He holds the record for being the second youngest batter to score a first-class triple-century in Pakistan, behind legendary Javed Miandad.
The 27-year-old Amir Zamal was the top wicket-taker in Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2022-23. He scalped 31 wickets and recorded two five-wicket hauls. Ameer highlighted his career by defending 15 runs in the last over against Moeen Ali on his Pakistan debut last year. Aamir’s immaculate death bowling helped Pakistan to a thrilling six-run win over England in the fifth T20. Aamir has experience of two T20, 23 first-class and 23 List A.
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Pakistan Squad For Two Test-Match Series:
Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (vc & wk), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi and Shan Masood
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