table of contents
The Pakistan national cricket team has dropped star fast bowler Shaheen Afridi from the playing eleven for the second and final Test against Bangladesh after an alleged heated argument with captain Shan Masood. This match started on 16 May in Sylhet.
After winning the toss at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium, Pakistan captain Shan Masood opted to bowl first and announced three changes to the line-up from the first Test in Dhaka.
Babar Azam returns to Pakistan XI after losing the first test
Babar Azam returned to the Pakistan playing eleven after missing the first Test against Bangladesh due to a left knee injury. Now, Babar has recovered from the injury and has replaced Imam-ul-Haq for the second Test against the Bangladesh national cricket team in Sylhet.
Also Read: “Batted really well:” Ruturaj Gaikwad left stunned after Mitchell Marsh’s lethal innings vs CSK
Surprisingly, Khurram Shahzad returned to the Pakistan XI for the first time since January 2025, and he replaced star fast bowler Shaheen Afridi for the second Test at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium. Khurram has played only 6 tests for the team so far and has taken 20 wickets.
Shaheen Afridi dropped after alleged clash with Shan Masood
It is being said that after the touring team’s shocking 104-run defeat against Tigers in Dhaka, there was a heated argument between captain Shan Masood and fast bowler Shaheen Afridi. Afrid was expensive with 3/113 in the first innings and then managed 2/54 in Dhaka.
Telecom Asia Sport quoted a PCB source as saying: “A dissatisfied Shan blamed the lack of pace in the fast bowling attack, and pointed the finger at Shaheen Afridi, who averaged 132 kph, which was significantly slower than Bangladesh’s Nahid Rana, who averaged around 145 kph.
Shan told the bowlers, ‘Due to lack of pace we failed to create pressure and that is worrying.’ On this, Shaheen Afridi hit back and blamed the poor batting for failing to take the lead in the first innings and asked the captain to focus on his performance with the bat.
Also read: Sanju Samson gives big blow to India, selectors take tough decision for Afghanistan series
After 39-year-old left-arm spinner Noman Ali’s ordinary performance (1/80 and 3/76) in the first Test, Sajid Khan was called up for the second Test to save his pride on the Bangladesh tour.
Shan Masood says Pakistan will aim to achieve dominance in Sylhet on day one
Shan Masood said at the time of the toss, “We are going to bowl first. Look, there is grass there, but there is weather all around and the pitch is also unknown, so that is why we are bowling first. We have three changes – Khurram, Babar and Sajid come into the team. In the World Test Championship, every game matters; we would like to do well on the first day and move on from there.”
Bangladesh has also made two changes in Sylhet. Tanjeed Hasan replaced Shadman Islam as the opening batsman, while Shoriful Islam replaced Ebadot Hossain.
Playing XI for 2nd BAN vs PAK Test:
Pakistan playing eleven: Azan Awais, Shan Masood (captain), Babar Azam, Abdullah Fazal, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Salman Aga, Khurram Shahzad, Sajid Khan, Hasan Ali and Mohammad Abbas.
Bangladesh Playing XI: Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Tanjeed Hasan Tamim, Nazmul Hussain Shanto (captain), Mominul Haq, Mushfiqur Rahim, Liton Das (wicketkeeper), Mehdi Hasan Miraj, Taijul Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam and Nahid Rana.