Pakistan to play an all pace bowling attack in Rawalpindi Test

In a complete u-turn from the pitches used in the last home season, Pakistan are preparing for a pacer-friendly track in Rawalpindi for the first Test of the two-match series against Bangladesh. As a result, they have released Abrar Ahmed from the squad, who was their only specialist spinner.

In his absence, Salman Ali Agha will be the sole spinner in the side, albeit batting is his primary skill. 

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was criticized for making docile pitches that were flat and almost no help for the bowlers. While the series against Australia was attritional and went until the last day of the last Test, England bazballed their way to tall totals. Pakistan lost both those Test series, creating unwanted records at home. 

Now, by releasing Abrar and Kamran Ghulam (who will also captain the Shaheens) to play the game between Shaheens and Bangladesh A, PCB has made it clear that the tracks won’t be the same. Going by Pakistan's options, the track in Rawalpindi is likely to be full of pace and bounce. 

After releasing Abrar and Ghulam for the game that’s starting on August 20 (just one day before the Test series begins), Pakistan have Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Khurram Shehzad, Mir Hamza, and Mohammad Ali in their pace attack. 

Jamal, who was stellar in Pakistan's Australia tour with 18 wickets and crucial runs down the order, is suffering from a lower back injury, and his participation in the Test is subject to fitness. 

You can find the full squad here. 

Meanwhile, the visitors Bangladesh have Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Khaled Ahmed, and Nahid Rana in their pace attack. However, it’s unlikely that they’ll follow Pakistan's strategy, as they have quality spinners in Taijul Islam and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, the latter being a solid all-round option. Moreover, Pakistan’s strategy of preparing fast bowling-oriented tracks and going pace-heavy also has to do with the lack of quality spinners in their Test setup. 

The first Test begins on August 21 in Rawalpindi. 

If you’ve not downloaded the Cricket.com app yet, you’re missing out — big time. Play Fantasy on Cricket.com NOW! Download the App here