Bangladesh A, Shaheens make wholesale changes for 2nd match

ISLAMABAD: New-look Pakistan Shaheens and Bangladesh A teams will be seen in action in the second four-dayer starting here at the Islamabad Club Ground from today (Tuesday).

Pakistan Shaheens and Bangladesh ‘A’ have made wholesale changes to their squads after the conclusion of the first four-dayer as Shaheens have welcomed eight new players while six players joined Bangladesh ‘A’ after the Test squad players left for national duty.

Uncapped top-order batter Kamran Ghulam who was released from the Pakistan Test squad, along with Abrar Ahmed, will lead the Shaheens in the second four-dayer.

Abrar Ahmed, Ali Zaryab, Imam Ul Haq, Mohammad Awais Anwar, Niaz Khan, Qasim Akram, Rohail Nazir and Sharoon Siraj replaced Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rameez Jnr, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Saud Shakeel.

Mohammad Naim, Mohammad Saifuddin, Saif Hassan, Soumya Sarkar, Towhid Hridoy, and Zakir Ali have replaced Hasan Mahmud, Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Nayeem Hasan, and Zakir Hasan in the Bangladesh ‘A’ squad.

On team’s prospect, newly-replaced Pakistan Shaheens captain Kamran Ghulam said: “It is a great opportunity for me to lead the Pakistan Shaheens side in the second four-dayer. I’m excited to see myself in this role and help the team with my leadership and batting.

“We will looking forward to win the second four-day match and clinch the series which will be a huge confidence-booster for the players going into a busy red-ball season. “We are well aware of the conditions at the Islamabad Club and will look to make the most of the learnings acquired during the first four-day match. The new players who have joined the squad are exciting and will hopefully contribute towards Shaheens’ success in the second game.”

Anamul Haque who also captained the Bangladesh A team in the first four-dayer said: “After a few changes to our squad we are now focused on giving our best in the second four-day match. We were tested in the first four-dayer and that experience will surely help us going into this game.

“Like the Shaheens squad, our team has also seen some changes with more experienced players leaving for the Test squad but I have a lot of confidence in the young players as they are talented and dynamic.

“I’m aware that the second four-day match will be hard fought because of the series win stakes attached to it and we are looking forward to challenging the opposition while expressing our skills in the best possible manner.”

Pakistan Shaheens squad (for second four-dayer): Kamran Ghulam (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Ali Zaryab, Ghulam Mudassar, Imam-ul-Haq, Mehran Mumtaz, Mohammad Awais Anwar, Niaz Khan, Qasim Akram, Rohail Nazir (wicket-keeper), Saad Baig (wicket-keeper), Saad Khan, Sharoon Siraj and Umar Amin.

Bangladesh ‘A’ squad (for second four-dayer); Anamul Haque (captain), Hasan Murad, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Mohammad Naim, Mohammad Saifuddin, Mosaddek Hossain, Rejaur Rehman Raja, Ruyel Miah, Saif Hassan, Shahadat Hossain, Soumya Sarkar, Tanvir Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Towhid Hridoy, and Zakir Ali Anik. Match officials: Faisal Aafreedi and Nasir Hussain (on-field umpires), Zulfiqar Jan (third umpire), Nadeem Arshad (match referee).