Pakistan’s T20 preparations are set to begin under the shadow of high-profile absences and fresh opportunities as the national squad gears up for a three-match series against Bangladesh later this month.
The training camp will commence on July 8 at the National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi, where the squad will try to plug the gaps left by several key players battling fitness issues.
Among the most significant setbacks is the likely absence of vice-captain Shadab Khan. The experienced all-rounder has been advised to undergo surgery by medical experts in the United Kingdom. If the procedure goes ahead, Shadab is expected to spend several months on the sidelines.
Pakistan’s injury concerns for the Bangladesh series don’t end there. Young fast bowlers Naseem Shah and Mohammad Wasim Jr. have also yet to regain full fitness and remain doubtful for the series. Their absence leaves Pakistan’s pace attack stretched and short on experience.
While Pakistan will miss some of their biggest names, the Bangladesh series also opens the door for emerging talent to make an impression. Sources indicate that Salman Mirza, who turned heads with his pace in the most recent Pakistan Super League season, is close to earning a call-up. The Lahore Qalandars quick surprised everyone by taking nine wickets in just four PSL matches as he helped his side win their third PSL crown.
Pakistan’s last meeting with Bangladesh ended in a comfortable 3-0 clean sweep on home soil earlier this year. But with injuries and rotation shaping the squad, this tour represents a fresh test of the team’s depth—and a chance for new faces to prove they belong at the international level.