Gillespie Confident in Pakistan’s Balanced Squad for Upcoming Test Series
Pakistan’s Test team coach, Jason Gillespie, has expressed confidence in the squad selected for the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh, set to begin on August 21 in Rawalpindi. Gillespie clarified the reasoning behind choosing only one specialist spinner, Abrar Ahmed, for the series.
Gillespie explained that the squad is well-rounded, highlighting Abrar as a promising young talent. He also mentioned that Salman Ali Agha, while primarily an all-rounder, has the potential to be considered a specialist spinner.
“We’ve got two quality spinners. Salman Ali Agha is skilled enough to be classified as a specialist spinner. From what I’ve observed, his off-spin has significant potential. Abrar Ahmed, of course, is a fine young bowler who is still early in his career,” Gillespie stated.
The coach is optimistic about the team’s prospects, noting that the squad is well-prepared for the series. “We have a solid mix of seam and spin options, and our batting lineup is diverse as well. I believe we have all bases covered, and it’s an exciting time for Pakistan’s Test side,” he added.
Sources indicate that the pitch at Pindi Stadium is expected to favor fast bowlers, leading Pakistan to likely field four pace bowlers in the first Test. Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Mir Hamza are confirmed to play, with the fourth pace spot being a contest between Khurram Shehzad and Mohammad Ali. Salman Ali Agha will be the lone spinner in the lineup.
