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Pakistan Drop Naseem Shah As Bangladesh Decide To Field First In 2nd PAK vs BAN Test

Shan Masood and Najmul Hossain Shanto during the toss of the 2nd Test [X]Shan Masood and Najmul Hossain Shanto during the toss of the 2nd Test [X]

In what comes as a good news for the Pakistan cricketing fraternity, the weather has cleared up at Rawalpindi and the 2nd Test match between Pakistan and Bangladesh is all set to get on the way. The toss for the game has been done. Najmul Hossain Shanto, the Bangladesh skipper has won the toss and has decided to field first. 

This game bears particular significance to the home team. After facing a rather shocking defeat in the first Test of the series, Pakistan need to win this match to end the series in a draw and pick up some valuable WTC points. 

Notably, the first day of this Test was called off due to heavy rain. As there was a loss of a complete day of play, the officials have decided to stretch number of allotted overs for the next four days to 98. 

The Bangladesh skipper is hoping to see moisture on the wicket and hence wants his bowlers to make the best of the conditions.

 Here is what the two captains said during the toss - 

Najmul Hossain Shanto (Bangladesh Captain): We will bowl first as there's some moisture, which should help our pacers. We played well in the last match, but that's in the past, and we're focused on this game. Shoriful has a niggle, so Taskin replaces him.

Shan Masood (Pakistan Captain): We would have bowled first as well since the pitch has been under covers. But now, with it effectively being a four-day game, we just have to play our best cricket.  From the twelve, we've rested Naseem. So, Abrar and Mir Hamza come in for Shaheen and Naseem from the last game. 

We'll have to wait and see. I think this pitch has a bit more grass coverage, which is what I meant. We've added an extra spinner to see if we can get some assistance, and I believe Abrar brings something different. We've seen him perform well on green tracks before, where he's gotten some help. So, we decided to go with three quicks and have Abrar and Salman as our spinners.

PAK vs BAN, 2nd Test - Playing XIs

Bangladesh Playing XI: Shadman Islam, Zakir Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das (wk), Shakib Al Hasan, Mehidy Hasan Miraz, Hasan Mahmud, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana

Pakistan Playing XI: Abdullah Shafique, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood (c), Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Agha Salman, Khurram Shahzad, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Ali, Mir Hamza 

PAK vs BAN, 2nd Test - Team Changes

Pakistan - Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah out, Mir Hamza and Abrar Ahmed in.
Bangladesh - Taskin Ahmed replaces Shoriful Islam