Vice-captain Saud opens up on Shaheen’s workload management

Pakistan Test team vice-captain Saud Shakeel opened up regarding the management’s plans to manage Shaheen Afridi’s workload, terming the latter as “the main bowler”.

Last week, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) unveiled a new-look 17-member Test squad for the upcoming two-match series against Bangladesh.

The squad announcement saw young middle-order batter Saud being promoted to the vice-captaincy role.

Saud Shakeel took over the role from ace pacer Shaheen Afridi, with selectors emphasizing the need to manage the pacer’s workload management, considering the national men’s team’s upcoming busy schedule.

Meanwhile, Shakeel, who is set to captain Pakistan Shaheens in the first red-ball fixture against Bangladesh A, interacted with the media in Islamabad on the eve of the series.

He was asked about the team management’s strategy for managing Shaheen’s workload. Saud, however, put back the question, stating, “Shaheen can tell you better about this. It is none of my concern.

“Shaheen is our main bowler, so the team management will make a decision that is best for him.”

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Pakistan Shaheens will face Bangladesh ‘A’ in the first four-day match at the Islamabad Club from 13-16 August. The second four-day match will be played at the same venue from 20-23 August.

Both Pakistan Shaheens and Bangladesh ‘A’ have packed their sides with players who will feature in the ICC World Test Championship fixtures, to be played in Rawalpindi and Karachi on 21-25 August and 30 August-3 September, respectively.

Test probables in the Pakistan Shaheens are Saud Shakeel (captain), Kamran Ghulam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub and Sarfaraz Ahmed, while Hasan Mahmud, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Nayeem Hasan and Zakir Hasan are Bangladesh ‘A’ players who will join the Test side following the four-day match.

Pakistan Shaheens squad (for first four-day match):  Saud Shakeel (captain), Kamran Ghulam, Mehran Mumtaz, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Rameez Jnr, Mohammad Huraira, Naseem Shah, Saad Baig (wicket-keeper), Saad Khan, Saim Ayub, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicket-keeper) and Umar Amin

Bangladesh ‘A’ squad (for first four-day match):  Anamul Haque (captain), Hasan Mahmud, Hasan Murad, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Mominul Haque, Mosaddek Hossain Saikat, Mushfiqur Rahim, Nayeem Hasan, Rejaur Rahman Raja, Ruyel Miah, Sahadat Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Zakir Hasan.

READ: Pacer withdrawn from Pakistan Shaheens’ squad for Bangladesh A series