Cricket

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that the second Test match between Pakistan and Bangladesh, originally scheduled to be held in Karachi from August 30 to September 3, has been shifted to Rawalpindi. The decision was made due to ongoing construction work at the National Stadium in Karachi, which is being prepared for the ICC Champions Trophy in 2025.According to the PCB, the construction experts have advised that while construction could continue during playing hours, the resulting noise pollution would disturb the cricketers. Additionally, the dust from the construction work could affect the health and well-being of the players, officials, broadcasters, and media.Given that construction must continue uninterrupted to ensure the venue is operationally ready for the ICC Champions Trophy 2025, the PCB, after consulting all stakeholders and reviewing operational and logistical matters, has decided to hold both Tests in Rawalpindi.The PCB has also confirmed that fans will be allowed to attend the match in Rawalpindi, unlike in Karachi, where the game was supposed to be played without spectators due to the redevelopment work.The first Test match between Pakistan and Bangladesh is scheduled to be held in Chittagong from August 15 to 19. The third and final Test match will be played in Rawalpindi from September 8 to 12.

Pakistan's star batter Babar Azam is set to bat at number four in the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh, according to sources. This decision comes after concerns were raised about the team's fitness following their disappointing performance at the T20 World Cup 2024.Former Pakistan cricketer Salman Butt has praised Azam's fitness and consistency, highlighting his impressive run-scoring record over the past two years. Butt emphasized the importance of maintaining fitness, especially after the criticism the team faced for their poor performance at the T20 World Cup.The two-match Test series against Bangladesh will mark the first assignment for Pakistan's new Test coach, Jason Gillespie. The first Test will be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from August 21, while the second Test will be held in Karachi from August 30 to September 3.The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced that spectators will not be allowed during the second Test match in Karachi due to ongoing renovations at the National Stadium.The Pakistan squad for the Test series includes:* Shan Masood (captain)* Saud Shakeel* Aamir Jamal (subject to fitness)* Abdullah Shafique* Abrar Ahmed* Babar Azam* Kamran Ghulam* Khurram Shahzad* Mir Hamza* Mohammad Ali* Muhammad Hurraira* Mohammad Rizwan* Naseem Shah* Saim Ayub* Salman Ali Agha* Sarfaraz Ahmed* Shaheen Shah AfridiThe Bangladesh squad for the Test series includes:* Najmul Hossain Shanto (captain)* Mahmudullah* Zakir Hasan* Shadman Islam* Mominul Haque* Mushfiqur Rahim* Shakib Al Hasan* Litton Das* Mehidy Hasan Miraz* Taijul Islam* Nazmul Hossain* Nurul Hasan* Ebadot Hossain* Hasan Mahmud* Taskin Ahmed* Khaled Ahmed

Bangladesh Faces Uncertainty over Mahmudul Hasan Joy's Availability for Pakistan Test SeriesBangladesh's hopes of a strong start to their two-Test series in Pakistan have been dealt a blow with the news that opening batter Mahmudul Hasan Joy has suffered a groin injury. According to ESPNcricinfo, the injury is expected to take around two weeks to heal, putting Joy's participation in both the first and second Tests in doubt.Joy, who is already in Pakistan, played in a four-day game for Bangladesh A against Pakistan A in Islamabad earlier this week. He scored 65 in the first innings but did not bat in the second.The injury is a significant setback for Bangladesh, as Joy has formed a settled opening partnership with Zakir Hasan in recent Tests. Shadman Islam is likely to take Joy's place in the lineup if he is unavailable.Bangladesh's 16-member squad has been training in Lahore and is scheduled to travel to Islamabad on August 17. The first Test will be played in Rawalpindi from August 21 to 25, while the second Test will be held in Karachi from August 30 to September 3.The Karachi Test will be played without spectators due to ongoing construction work at the National Stadium.

Bangladesh's spin-bowling consultant Mushtaq Ahmed has expressed optimism ahead of the Test series against Pakistan, citing the positive influence of senior players Shakib Al Hasan and Mushfiqur Rahim."The players are excited for the first Test," said Mushtaq. "Shakib and Mushfiqur are playing a crucial role in boosting morale. They are experienced and providing guidance to the younger players."Shakib's arrival in Lahore on Wednesday has further energized the team. Despite a tumultuous week in Canada, where he faced political backlash and controversy, Shakib has remained focused on cricket.Mushfiqur, meanwhile, is gaining valuable match practice in a four-day game against Pakistan A in Islamabad. This tour provides a rare opportunity for the Bangladesh A team to connect with the senior team.Mushtaq believes Bangladesh has the potential to succeed in Test matches away from home. "They have the basics and the belief," he said. "We will instill in them the confidence that they can beat anyone."He praised the Bangladesh spinners, particularly Rishad Hossain, who has made significant progress under his guidance. "The spinners are eager to learn and receptive to my suggestions," said Mushtaq. "Taijul [Islam] and [Mehidy Hasan] Miraz are match-winners. They are coachable and good listeners."Mushtaq's focus is on providing tactical and technical advice to the spinners. "You have to remind them of the basics, even with their experience," he said. "I am honored to work with them and hope to make a difference."

Shakib Al Hasan, the former Bangladesh captain and lawmaker, has been granted permission to remain with the national cricket team in Pakistan by the interim government that replaced his former boss, Sheikh Hasina. Shakib, who was elected to parliament in January as a member of Hasina's Awami League party, lost his seat when parliament was dissolved after Hasina resigned and fled to India.The interim government, led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus, has appointed Asif Mahmud, a student leader who played a key role in the protests that ousted Hasina, as the de facto sports minister. Mahmud has granted Shakib permission to remain with the team despite his ties to Hasina and the Awami League."We presented the team before the sports adviser," said Iftekhar Ahmed, a director of the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB). "He did not oppose the inclusion of Shakib. He said that the team should be formed on merit."Shakib, 37, was seen training at the Gaddafi Cricket Stadium in Lahore on Wednesday. He had not been seen since Hasina's resignation and joined the Bangladeshi squad in Pakistan straight from Canada, where he was playing in a Twenty20 competition.Some critics have questioned Shakib's decision to remain with the team, arguing that he should have returned home to explain his silence during the protests that led to Hasina's ouster."Shakib cannot avoid the responsibility of mass killings as a lawmaker," said Rafiqul Islam, a former BCB board member. "When students were being killed, he never protested. Many of these students considered him an icon. He should have come home first and gave an explanation why he was silent."Rafiqul joined a protest on Tuesday outside the BCB's headquarters at Bangladesh's main cricket venue, the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium. He and other sports administrators demanded the ouster of cricket board members they accused of being Hasina loyalists."Mismanagement, autocratic behavior, and unbridled corruption put Bangladesh lagging behind in world cricket," the group said in a statement on Monday.Hasina's party offices have been looted and torched since she fled on August 5, and many members of her Awami League have gone into hiding, fearing violence. Bangladesh's courts, central bank, and other government institutions have been purged of Hasina loyalists since Yunus' interim government took power.

The second Test between Pakistan and Bangladesh, scheduled for August 30 to September 3 in Karachi, will be played behind closed doors due to ongoing construction work at the National Stadium. The decision was made as part of the Pakistan Cricket Board's (PCB) stadium renovation project ahead of the 2025 Champions Trophy.The Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore is also undergoing similar upgrades in preparation for Pakistan's first ICC tournament since 1996. The PCB opted to keep the Test in Karachi to distribute its home matches across three venues: Karachi, Multan, and Rawalpindi. Multan will host Pakistan's first Test against England from October 7.The England Test scheduled in Karachi from October 15 is expected to have spectators in attendance. The PCB has suspended ticket sales for the first Test against Bangladesh with immediate effect, citing the health and safety of fans as its top priority."We deeply regret any inconvenience this may cause, but we want to assure our valued fans that the ongoing stadium upgrades are aimed at enhancing their experience," the PCB said in a statement.The Bangladesh squad arrived in Lahore four days ahead of schedule to begin training after their preparations were disrupted by political unrest in Bangladesh. The team will train at Gaddafi Stadium before traveling to Rawalpindi for the first Test, which begins on August 21.Bangladesh's previous bilateral tour of Pakistan in 2020 was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The upcoming series marks their first full tour of Pakistan since 2003.

Star Bangladesh all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has confirmed his availability for all eight Test matches scheduled in 2024, providing a significant boost to the team's World Test Championship (WTC) campaign.Chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain confirmed Shakib's commitment, stating that the player had assured the selectors of his participation in all practice sessions and Test matches. This is a significant development, as Shakib had previously expressed uncertainty about his availability beyond the upcoming Pakistan series.Shakib's return to the Test fold is crucial for Bangladesh, as he is one of the world's leading all-rounders. His presence in the team provides balance and depth, both with bat and ball. Hossain emphasized Shakib's importance, stating that he is "one of the best all-rounders over the past years."Bangladesh's Test schedule in 2024 includes four two-match series against Pakistan, India, South Africa, and the West Indies. These matches are part of the WTC cycle, which determines the top-ranked Test team in the world.Shakib's availability for all these matches will be a major asset for Bangladesh, as they aim to improve their position in the WTC standings. The team currently sits in ninth place, but with Shakib in the lineup, they have a chance to challenge the top teams.The WTC series against Pakistan begins on August 21, with the second match starting on August 30. Shakib is expected to join the team on August 14 or 15 and participate in practice sessions before the first Test.

Bangladesh's Test squad for the upcoming two-match series against Pakistan has been announced, with the return of experienced batter Mushfiqur Rahim and fast bowler Taskin Ahmed. The series, scheduled to begin later this month, will see Bangladesh face a formidable challenge against the hosts.Mushfiqur, who missed the recent Test series against Sri Lanka due to a thumb injury, is a crucial addition to the batting lineup. His experience and ability to anchor the innings will be invaluable against Pakistan's potent bowling attack. Taskin, on the other hand, has been rested from red-ball cricket to manage his shoulder injury. He will only be available for the second Test in Karachi, but will play the second four-day game for Bangladesh A on August 20 to regain match fitness.The squad also includes senior allrounder Shakib Al Hasan, who has made himself available for selection after stepping down as a member of parliament. Shakib's experience and all-round abilities will be crucial for Bangladesh's chances of success.Six players from the Test squad, including Mushfiqur and captain Mominul Haque, have already arrived in Pakistan as part of the Bangladesh A side. They will play the first four-day game in Islamabad from August 13.Chief selector Gazi Ashraf Hossain emphasized the importance of selecting the best players for this series. "This is a well-balanced squad," he said. "The likes of Mushfiqur, Mominul, and Shakib have played over 216 matches combined, and there is no substitute for that kind of experience."Bangladesh's pace attack will be led by Taskin, who last played a Test in January against New Zealand. The squad also includes four other pacers: Hasan Mahmud, Khaled Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, and Nayeem Hasan."We have selected five pacers mindful of the fact that Taskin Ahmed will only play the second Test," Ashraf said. "We have decided to include him in the A Team for the second four-dayer against Pakistan A to get him into the rhythm for longer version matches."Bangladesh will have additional time to prepare in Pakistan, with the first Test scheduled to begin on August 21 in Rawalpindi. The squad will train at the Gaddafi Stadium from August 14 to 16 before traveling to Islamabad on August 17.

The Bangladesh national cricket team will arrive in Lahore on August 13th, four days ahead of their scheduled arrival, for a two-Test series against Pakistan. The team will undergo three days of training at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium before the first Test in Rawalpindi on August 21st.The team's preparations have been disrupted by ongoing political unrest in Bangladesh. The overseas coaching staff was unable to join the players at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka last week due to security concerns. The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) is currently working with the coaches' respective embassies to obtain security clearances.The early departure was arranged after an invitation from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) to ensure the visiting players have adequate training opportunities before the Tests. "Sports is not only about winning and losing, it's also about camaraderie," said Salman Naseer, PCB chief operating officer. "I am confident that the extra training sessions in Lahore will allow the players to showcase their best skills and talent on the global stage."The Bangladesh players have been training individually at the Shere Bangla under coach Shohel Islam for the past three days. "We thank the PCB for giving the Bangladesh cricket team the opportunity to have additional training in Pakistan," said BCB chief executive Nizamuddin Chowdhury. "This will certainly help the players to acclimatize to the conditions and prepare better for the ICC World Test Championship series."Bangladesh's Test cricketers had a training camp in Chattogram that was disrupted by anti-government protests across the country last month. Political rallies have also been held inside the Shere Bangla premises.The BCB has managed to send the high-performance team to Australia and the Bangladesh A team to Pakistan. The latter's departure was delayed by a few days, and the team arrived in Islamabad on Saturday. Bangladesh A will play two four-day matches and three one-day matches in Pakistan, which will run alongside the senior team's Test matches in Rawalpindi and Karachi. The Bangladesh squad for the Tests is expected to be announced on Sunday.