Day 1 of the second Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh has been called off due to rain at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium in Rawalpindi on Friday. The rain has been relentless since the morning and the toss did not take place for the game.
Both teams are in the bottom half of the World Test Championship standings with Bangladesh at No. 7 and Pakistan at No. 8, just above last-place West Indies.
Bangladesh created history in the first Test as they beat Pakistan for the first time since they gained the Test status. The 10-wicket loss-induced changes in bowling for Pakistan as they left out ace bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi from the second Test.
Pakistan’s team combination, in which they fielded four pacers, also invited sharp criticism from former players, who felt that playing with two spinners was a better option.
Head coach Jason Gillispie said Shaheen understands the “situation” and the break will give him quality time with his family.
“We had a good conversation with him and he fully understands we are looking at the best combination for this game and the last few weeks have been interesting for him with fatherhood and other things, this break will allow him to spend time with his family,” Gillispie said during the pre-match press conference.
The former Australian pacer said Shaheen is working with Azhar Mahmood to be more effective and the management certainly wants to see him at his very best as there is a lot of cricket coming up.
“Right now we feel we have all bases covered in our bowling attack,” he said.
Shaheen has played just six Tests since July 2022, owing to a knee injury. He was rested for the final Test against Australia at Sydney in January this year. Gillispie also confirmed that all rounder Aamer Jamal was still not fit to play for Pakistan.
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