Injury forces Pakistan into squad alteration for Bangladesh Test series
Pakistan lose a key member of their pace attack ahead of the two-match series against Bangladesh at home.
Pakistan have made a further alteration to their squad for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh with fast bowler Aamir Jamal released due to fitness concerns.
Jamal picked up a back injury when playing County cricket in England earlier this year and was only included in Pakistan's squad for the crucial ICC World Test Championship series subject to a fitness clearance.
But the talented 28-year-old has failed to shake the back concern and has been sent to the National Cricket Academy in Lahore to continue his rehabilitation.
It means Pakistan's squad for the Test series against Bangladesh that commences on Wednesday has been reduced to just 14 players, after spinner Abrar Ahmed and top-order batter Kamran Ghulam were released over the weekend.
Pakistan will enter the first Test against Bangladesh with an all pace attack, with left-arm quick Shaheen Afridi and returning quick Naseem Shah likely to spearhead a fast bowling group that also includes Khurram Shehzad and Mir Hamza.
Jamal had been expected to challenge this quartet for a place in the final XI after he impressed on debut against Australia across the new year, but the injury setback will mean the right-armer will have to bide his time for a recall.
Pakistan currently sit in sixth place on the World Test Championship standings and will be looking to claim the series against Bangladesh to move back into contention of reaching next year's one-off final at Lord's.
World Test Championship Standings
Pakistan squad for Bangladesh Test series: Shan Masood (c), Saud Shakeel (vc), Abdullah Shafique, Babar Azam, Khurram Shahzad, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Ali, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Shaheen Afridi