|| Desk Report ||

Bilal Asif, who has played five Tests and last featured in 2018, has been named in Pakistan's 16-member squad for the Rawalpindi Test from February 7. Faheem Ashraf too makes a comeback after being dropped for the series against Sri Lanka.

Kashif Bhatti and Usman Shinwari have been dropped for the side to make way for the duo. "We have followed the horses for courses policy for the Test against Bangladesh," head coach Misbah ul Haq said. "I know the two players who have been left out will be disappointed, but they remain firmly within our plans for the red-ball cricket we are scheduled to play later this year.

"Bhatti has paved the way for Bilal Asif considering there are left-handed batters in the Bangladesh top and middle-order, while Faheem Ashraf has been preferred over Usman Shinwari due to his all-round abilities. Following our convincing victory in Karachi, I don't envisage any major changes in the playing line-up but we have tried to cover all our bases just in case the wicket has any surprises for us."

Asif picked up 43 wickets in nine Quaid-e-Azam Trophy matches to present his case while Ashraf scored 118 runs in three games at an average of 59 in addition to picking eight wickets.

The two World Test Championship Tests will be played in two different tours with the first Test in Rawalpindi and the second Test in Karachi from April 5. Bangladesh will also play a one-off ODI before the second Test on April 3.