RAWALPINDI: Pakistan all-rounder Salman Ali Agha expressed his readiness and excitement to take the challenge as the team’s sole spinner in the first Test against Bangladesh.
The series between Pakistan and Bangladesh is part of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25, with the first Test commencing at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from 21-25 August.
Pakistan selectors have opted to go with an all-pace attack in the first Test, with Salman being the only spinner in the squad.
While addressing a press conference at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Sunday, Salman shared that he is not under pressure to play as the sole spinner.
“I have played as a sole spinner in Australia and did well there,” said Salman Ali Agha. “There is no pressure and I am ready to take the challenge.”
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Salman noted that due to the favourable conditions for fast bowlers on Rawalpindi’s pitch, the selectors decided not to include a specialist spinner in the team.
“The pitch in Rawalpindi looks green and seems to favour fast bowlers more,” he commented.
The all-rounder also shed light on the team environment and shared that the players don’t pay much attention to social media.
“The atmosphere in the team is healthy. All players back each other like brothers and friends. We have nothing to do with whatever is going on social media,” he added.
Notably, the second Test of the series, which was originally scheduled in Karachi from 30 August to 3 September, has been moved to Rawalpindi due to the ongoing construction work at the National Bank Stadium.
Pakistan squad for first Test against Bangladesh: Shan Masood (c), Saud Shakeel, Aamir Jamal (subject to fitness), Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Muhammad Hurraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Shaheen Shah Afridi.
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