Big Blow for Pakistan as Star Pacer Aamir Jamal Ruled Out Ahead of Bangladesh Test Series

What could be a major blow to the Pakistan cricket team's plans, star pacer Aamir Jamal has been ruled out of the forthcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh, which is slated to start soon. This would further complicate the host nation's preparations as they get into this important series at home.

Injury Woes for Aamir Jamal

Aamir Jamal, who himself picked up a back injury during the County cricket stint in England earlier this year, was in line to return to the Pakistani squad for the ICC World Test Championship series after coming through a fitness test. The 28-year-old fast bowler, however, is yet to recover completely and is undergoing rehabilitation at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore. This is a major blow to the team with only a few days left for the first Test against Bangladesh.

Impact on the Squad

With the exclusion of Jamal, the Pakistan squad for the Test series is now only 14 in number. Previously released is the spinner, Abrar Ahmed, and top-order batter Kamran Ghulam. The pace attack is expected to be carried out by left-arm speedster Shaheen Afridi and the returning Naseem Shad. The fast bowling department will be further represented by Khurram Shehzad and Mir Hamza.

Such wound-up injury to Jamal is very disappointing because he was supposed to be among the leading players after his brilliant debut against Australia earlier this year. It may still slightly delay that opportunity.

Squad Rebalancing and Key Players

Babar Azam, Pakistan's middle-order batter, will be returning for the series against Bangladesh at the number four spot. Opener Abdullah Shafiq's place is guaranteed, and at number three will be captain Shan Masood, sources confirmed.

As it stands, currently at number six in the World Test Championship table, Pakistan needs a shot in the arm by coming out victors in this series against Bangladesh, to keep their hopes alive and kicking for the next year's one-off final at the Lord's.

This will now have to be done with Pakistan's adjusted squad in Jamal's absence. This team's strength is within the pace attack, and so great expectations befall on the shoulders of Afridi, Shah, Shehzad, and Hamza. All that said, the series is all set to start Wednesday, and therefore all the eyes of fans and experts are going to focus on how Pakistan is going to negotiate this challenge and try to nail a better position in the World Test Championship standings.

Pakistan Squad

• Shan Masood
• Saud Shakeel vc
• Abdullah Shafique
• Babar Azam
• Khurram Shahzad
• Mir Hamza
• Mohammad Ali
• Mohammad Huraira
• Mohammad Rizwan wk
• Naseem Shah
• Saim Ayub
• Salman Ali Agha
• Sarfaraz Ahmed wk
• Shaheen Afridi

With the series just a few days away, it will be keenly watched how well Pakistan adjusts to the changes and if they can rise to the occasion without their star pacer.