‘We are trying to build…’: Pakistan coach justifies Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah omissions against Bangladesh | Cricket News – Times of India

NEW DELHI: Pakistan’s decision to bench star pacers Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah in the second Test against Bangladesh has raised eyebrows, particularly as the hosts find themselves on the brink of a historic series clean sweep.
Bangladesh, needing just 143 runs to win on a rain-affected Day 4, appear firmly in control. This dominance comes despite a spirited first-innings performance from Pakistan’s bowlers, who seemed unable to replicate their earlier success against a confident Bangladeshi opening pair.
Head Coach Jason Gillespie, speaking at the end of Day 4, shed light on the selection puzzle, emphasizing that the decision was based on a thorough analysis of the pitch conditions and their anticipated evolution throughout the Test match.
“So we looked at conditions and what we thought was the best combination. Taking into account what we saw before the game, reflected on the previous game, and this is where we landed. In the first innings, if you at one point saw, we had Bangladesh in a bit of straw. We bowled quite well, and the line and length were excellent,” Gillespie explained.

He further underlined the team’s impressive bowling performance in the first innings, where they had Bangladesh under pressure for a significant period. “There are a few things that we are hoping Shaheen can work on. He had a pretty eventful time in his personal life as well. We want Shaheen Afridi to be at his very best for as much cricket as possible. He is an all-format player, and we have a pretty heavy schedule, and we want him to be fit and firing,” Gillespie pointed out.
Addressing the absence of Shaheen Afridi, Gillespie stressed the team’s commitment to developing a robust squad mentality rather than relying heavily on individual brilliance. He emphasized the importance of making informed decisions based on the specific challenges posed by each match and the upcoming schedule.
“We are trying to build a squad mentality and not just rely on a few players. We want to create an environment and squad where we can look at conditions, look at what is coming up and make the best and informed decisions,” Gillespie acknowledged.
As Bangladesh ended Day 4 at 42/0, with Zakir Hasan and Shadman Islam looking comfortable at the crease, Pakistan face an uphill battle to salvage any pride from the second Test. The focus now shifts to Gillespie and his team selection for the final day, as they seek to prevent a series whitewash.