Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has welcomed the Pakistan Cricket Board’s decision to appoint Saud Shakeel as the new vice captain of the Test team. The PCB announced Shakeel as Shan Masood’s deputy in place of Shaheen Shah Afridi for the upcoming two-match Test series at home against Bangladesh earlier this week.
The two-match series against the Asian rivals will also be Pakistan’s first assignment under new Test head coach Jason Gillespie.
Sarfaraz felt that the board made the right choice by showing its faith in an emerging player like Shakeel, who made his Test debut against England in 2022.
“First of all, congratulations to Saud. To be vice captain of the national team is a huge honour. It’s a commendable initiative by the cricket board to groom such a junior player who has been leading at lower levels,” said Sarfaraz Ahmed, who has also been called up for the Bangladesh series, during a recent chat with Pakistani outlet Dawn, as per Sportskeeda.
Sarfaraz also shed light on Shakeel’s captaincy experience at the junior level. “Saud has been captaining since the U-19 level and has led Sindh to the T20 championship title,” the 37-year-old added.
Saud has so far represented Pakistan in 10 Tests. He has aggregated 967 runs at an average of 60.43. Shakeel has two centuries and six half centuries in the longest format.
The PCB has made some modifications to the Test squad for the home series against Bangladesh. The fast-bowling duo of Naseem Shah and Mohammad Ali has been recalled, while Mohammad Huraira and Kamran Ghulam have also been included, considering their impressive performances in the domestic circuit.
About the newcomers, Sarfaraz said, “It’s a positive initiative that domestic performers and Pakistan Shaheens are getting opportunities. Some players have already made their place, and we hope that more will get their chance in the future. It’s a good sign that domestic performers are being valued and becoming part of Pakistan’s senior team.”
The first Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh will start on August 21 in Rawalpindi. The next fixture will be played in Karachi from August 30.
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