DARWIN, July 18, 2024: The Pakistan Shaheens, led by Sahibzada Farhan, are set to face off against Bangladesh ‘A’ in a highly anticipated red-ball challenge in Darwin, Australia, starting Friday. This marks the first encounter between the two development sides since 2008, when Pakistan Academy triumphed over Bangladesh Academy, winning both matches by eight wickets.
The two four-day matches, scheduled for July 19-22 and July 26-29, will be followed by two One-Day matches on August 4 and 6, and the nine-team Top End T20 series from August 9-18. The Pakistan Shaheens arrived in Darwin on July 15, after an intensive six-day training camp in Karachi under the guidance of Jason Gillespie, Pakistan men’s red-ball head coach.
This series will be Pakistan Shaheens’ third red-ball series in as many years, following successful tours to Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe in 2021 and 2023, respectively. Key players like Mehran Mumtaz and Omair bin Yousuf have showcased their skills in previous tours, and the current squad boasts a mix of experienced and talented players.
Captain Sahibzada Farhan expressed his excitement about leading the team, acknowledging the challenge posed by Bangladesh ‘A’ in unfamiliar playing conditions. He praised the team’s preparation and the valuable guidance of Jason Gillespie.
The upcoming matches are crucial for the players, providing essential experience and exposure ahead of a packed red-ball season, which includes Tests against Bangladesh, England, South Africa, and the West Indies from August 2024 to January 2025.
The Shaheens squad includes Sahibzada Farhan (captain), Faisal Akram, Haseebullah, Kamran Ghulam, Kashif Ali, Khurram Shahzad, Mehran Mumtaz, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mubasir Khan, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Shahnawaz Dahani, Tayyab Tahir, and Umar Amin, while Bangladesh ‘A’ will be led by Mahmudul Hasan Joy, with Aich Mollah, Amite Hasan, Ariful Islam, and others in the squad.
