Former pacer raises questions over Pakistan’s squad for Bangladesh Tests

Former pace bowler Tanveer Ahmed has raised questions over the selection of Pakistan’s Test squad for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) men’s national selection committee announced a 17-member squad for the upcoming two-match home Test series against Bangladesh, starting on 21 August.

PCB also named a star-studded 15-member squad for the first four-day match, featuring Test team members Saud Shakeel, Kamran Ghulam, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub and Sarfaraz Ahmed.

Tanveer Ahmed took to his official X account and criticized the selection of both the squad.

“Whether it’s the Pakistan team or some of the Shaheens’ players, the selection has been wrong. It’s beyond understanding and seems to have been done through coercion,” Tanveer posted.

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He also raised the question over Abrar Ahmed being the sole spinner in Pakistan’s Test squad. He also called out coaches in domestic cricket for not being able to develop quality spin bowlers.

“Is this our domestic cricket? spinners have disappeared throughout Pakistan, and there is only one spinner in the Test squad, Abrar Ahmed. Where are our domestic coaches who still haven’t managed to develop any spinners, or are they only focused on words?” he added.

The Bangladesh cricket team is scheduled to arrive in Islamabad in the wee hours of 17 August and is expected to train in the same afternoon.

Meanwhile, the home team’s training camp will commence at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on 11 August and will be supervised by red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie and assistant coach Azhar Mahmood.

The first Test will be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from 21-25 August, while the second Test will be held from 30 August-3 September in Karachi.

READ: Sarfaraz Ahmed reacts to Saud Shakeel’s appointment as vice-captain