In a historic clash, Pakistan Shaheens will face Bangladesh ‘A’ for the first time in 16 years, with their first four-day match set to take place in Darwin, Australia on July 19. This tour, consisting of two four-day matches, two One-Day games, and the Top End T20 series, marks the revival of competition between these two developmental sides since Pakistan Academy’s successful tour of Bangladesh in 2008.
Following an intensive six-day training camp at the Hanif Mohammad High-Performance Centre in Karachi under the guidance of red-ball head coach Jason Gillespie, the Pakistan Shaheens landed in Darwin on July 15. The squad is prepared for the new playing conditions, which will be crucial as they head into a demanding red-ball season with Tests against top cricketing nations lined up from August 2024 to January 2025.
Sahibzada Farhan, leading the Pakistan Shaheens, expressed confidence in his team’s readiness and acknowledged the challenge posed by the strong Bangladesh ‘A’ side. He emphasized the significance of the preparatory camp in Karachi and the acclimatization sessions in Darwin, highlighting the value of having Jason Gillespie’s expertise during this tour.
The Pakistan Shaheens squad boasts experienced players like Haseebullah, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mehran Mumtaz, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Omair bin Yousuf, and Shahnawaz Dahani, many of whom have previously represented the team in red-ball cricket. Notably, Ali, Khurram, and Umar have also played Test matches for Pakistan. This will be Pakistan Shaheens’ third red-ball series in the past three years, following tours to Sri Lanka in 2021 and Zimbabwe in 2023.
On their last red-ball tour in Zimbabwe, Mehran Mumtaz stood out with an impressive 15 wickets, while Omair bin Yousuf accumulated 348 runs, showcasing the talent within the squad.
The Bangladesh ‘A’ team, led by Mahmudul Hasan Joy, includes promising players such as Aich Mollah, Amite Hasan, Ariful Islam, and several others. Both teams are set to deliver competitive performances, making this series a pivotal opportunity for young cricketers to gain valuable experience and exposure.
The series schedule is as follows:
– First four-day match: July 19
– Second four-day match: July 26
– One-Day matches: August 4 and 6
– Top End T20 series: August 9-18
Pakistan Shaheens Squad:Sahibzada Farhan (c), Faisal Akram, Haseebullah, Kamran Ghulam, Kashif Ali, Khurram Shahzad, Mehran Mumtaz, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mubasir Khan, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Shahnawaz Dahani, Tayyab Tahir, Umar Amin.
Bangladesh ‘A’ Squad:Mahmudul Hasan Joy (c), Aich Mollah, Amite Hasan, Ariful Islam, Hasan Murad, Mahidul Islam Ankon, Maruf Mridha, Md Mukidul Islam, Parvez Hossain Emon, Rakibul Hasan, Rezaur Rehman Raja, Ripon Mondal, Sahadat Hossain Dipu, Shadaman Islam, Sk Pervez Rahman Jobon.
This series not only revives a historic rivalry but also serves as a crucial platform for emerging talent from both nations to showcase their skills and gain much-needed international experience.
