Pakistan's superstar batter Babar Azam is diligently preparing for the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh. This series holds significance as it is part of the World Test Championship. The matches are scheduled to take place at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium starting August 21, followed by the National Stadium in Karachi on August 30. As the Pakistan cricket team gears up for their first Test series since January, they have reunited and intensified their training sessions. Under the leadership of Shan Masood, the team is focused and determined to perform well in the nets as they prepare to face Bangladesh.
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Babar Azam suffers blow on body during Pakistan's nets session
Babar, Pakistan's premier batter, is undoubtedly the cornerstone of the team's hopes for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. The team's success hinges heavily on his performance with the bat. As the team intensified its preparations on Thursday, August 15, a worrying incident unfolded. A video surfaced online showing Azam being struck in the groin while batting in the nets. The impact caused him immense discomfort, and it remains to be seen if this will affect his readiness for the series.
WATCH THE VIDEO HERE
The pressure on Azam is immense as he heads into the Test series. Recent criticism of his captaincy in the white-ball format and his underwhelming performance in the T20 World Cup have put a spotlight on him. The Bangladesh series offers an opportunity for him to redeem himself and silence the critics. Babar's captaincy was put to the test during the recent T20 World Cup where Pakistan faced a disappointing early exit. Their losses to the United States and India prevented them from advancing to the Super 8 stage. The decision to reappoint Azam as captain also came under scrutiny.
The upcoming Test series against Bangladesh offers Azam a chance to shift focus from captaincy to batting under Shan Masood's leadership. It's also a platform for him to address the criticisms surrounding his Test form.
Since 2022, Azam has been struggling to find his touch in the longest format. His last fifty in Test cricket dates back to that year, and his 2023 performance was particularly underwhelming. With an average of 20.60 and a highest score of 41 in the Australia series, he will be eager to turn things around as the new Test season commences.
Pakistan's Test squad:
Shan Masood (c), Saud Shakeel (vc), Aamir Jamal (subject to Fitness), Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Kamran Ghulam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk) and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Bangladesh's Test squad:
Najmul Hossain Shanto (Captain), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Zakir Hasan, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Shakib Al Hasan, Litton Kumer Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Nahid Rana, Shoriful Islam, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Syed Khaled Ahmed.
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