Jason Gillespie, the head coach of Pakistan’s Test team, has defended the decision to include only one specialist spinner, Abrar Ahmed, for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh, which begins on August 21.
In a press briefing, Gillespie explained the rationale behind the selection strategy, emphasizing the team’s balance and the dual role of Salman Ali Agha. “Both Salman Ali Agha and Abrar Ahmed bring unique skills to the table. Salman has demonstrated impressive off-spin capabilities, while Abrar is proving himself as a promising young talent,” Gillespie noted.
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The coach expressed confidence in the squad’s composition, highlighting the variety of bowling and batting options available. “Our team is well-rounded with a strong lineup of pace bowlers alongside spin options. This is a crucial time for our Test team, and we are ready for an engaging series,” Gillespie added.
The pitch at Pindi Stadium, known for favoring fast bowlers, is expected to influence Pakistan’s strategy, with the potential for deploying four pace bowlers. Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Mir Hamza are confirmed for the pace attack, while the fourth spot is still being contested between Khurram Shehzad and Mohammad Ali.