Shaheen Afridi returns to Pakistan Test team; Huraira, Jamal in the team for the first time

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Lahore | Left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Afridi has returned to Pakistan’s Test squad for the two-match Test series in Sri Lanka starting next month. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) gave this information on Saturday.

The PCB also said that uncapped batsman Mohammad Huraira and all-rounder Amir Jamal have received their maiden Test call-ups and are part of the 16-man squad that will be part of Pakistan’s first series in the third cycle of the ICC World Test Championship. Along with this, Morne Morkel has been appointed as the bowling coach of the team on a six-month contract.

Shaheen, who last played in the longest format in July 2022 when he suffered a knee injury in a Test against Sri Lanka, is one wicket away from reaching the century of Test wickets, the most by any Pakistan bowler since December 2018. He hasn’t taken more wickets since making his debut at the start of 2015. ,

The 23-year-old pacer averages 24.86 and has an economy of 3.04, and last played Test cricket in July 2022 before suffering a knee injury, which recurred in last year’s men’s T20 World Cup final.

On his return to the Test team, Shaheen said, “I would like to thank my fans who have supported me through these difficult times and I look forward to the challenges ahead.”

He said, “I am very excited to return to the Pakistan Test team after a year. I missed Test cricket and it was difficult for me to stay away from this format. After missing the entire domestic season due to injury in Sri Lanka, After. I am looking forward to making an impressive comeback in the same country and completing a century of wickets in Test cricket.”

Chief selector Haroon Rashid said, “The conditions in Sri Lanka heavily favor finger spinners – something we’ve seen over the years and during the previous tour of Pakistan – so we have a few options to go with the mystery spin of Abrar Ahmed.” There are three such bowlers.”

The 21-year-old Huraira has played 24 first-class, 10 List A and six T20Is and earned the spot after being the leading run-scorer in the last two editions of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. In the 2022-23 edition, Huraira was the only batsman to cross the 1000-run mark, playing an integral role in helping Northerns win their maiden title.

In 11 matches that season, Huraira scored four centuries and two half-centuries to score 1,024 runs at an average of 73.14. He continued his first-class form on the tour of Zimbabwe last month, scoring 178 and 64 against Zimbabwe A in Kwawe and Mutare, and became the second youngest batsman to score a first-class triple century in Pakistan after the legendary Javed Miandad. .

Amir, on the other hand, came into limelight after saving 15 runs in the last over against England’s Moeen Ali in his T20I debut in September last year. His impeccable death bowling helped Pakistan seal a thrilling six-run win over England in the fifth T20I of the seven-match series.

The 27-year-old Amir topped the wicket-taking charts for fast bowlers in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2022-23, taking 31 wickets at an average of 29.71, while taking two five-wicket hauls. He was the leading wicket-taker in the recent six-match ODI series between Zimbabwe and Pakistan with 16 dismissals at an average of 21.

Rashid said, “Also, we cannot ignore the need for fast bowlers and thus, we have included four fast bowlers, so the captain and the team management have enough resources on the tour. We have a strong batting line-up.” That’s the order I’m sure they’ll do well in the two matches.”

“The players who have not been selected should not worry too much as they remain a part of our plans. We have an exciting and challenging season ahead of us and we are looking forward to playing domestic cricket and tours to keep ourselves ready,” he added. Make the most of the opportunities you get.”

Pakistan will assemble in Karachi on July 3 for a camp before leaving for Sri Lanka on July 9. The schedule of the tour will be announced by Sri Lanka Cricket in due course. Pakistan and Sri Lanka last played a Test series in July 2022 which ended in a 1-1 draw.

Pakistan Squad: Babar Azam (Captain), Mohammad Rizwan (Vice-Captain & Wicket-keeper), Amir Jamal, Abdullah Shafiq, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Salman Ali Agha , Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicketkeeper), Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi and Shan Masood

–IANS

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