Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has welcomed the Pakistan Cricket Board’s decision to appoint Saud Shakeel as the new vice-captain of the Test team. The PCB had announced Shakeel as Shan Masood’s deputy, replacing Shaheen Shah Afridi, for the two-match Test series against Bangladesh earlier this week.

The two-match series against Asian opponents will also be Pakistan’s first under new Test coach Jason Gillespie.

Sarfaraz feels the management has made the right choice by banking on a rising player like Shakeel, who begins his Test career against England in 2022.

“First of all, congratulations to Saud. It’s a great honour to be the vice-captain of the national team. It’s a commendable initiative by the cricket board to nurture such a young player who has been a leader at the lower levels,” he said in a recent chat with Pakistani publication Dawn, according to Sportskeeda. Sarfaraz Ahmed has also been called up for the Bangladesh series.

Sarfaraz also shed light on Shakeel’s captaincy experience at the junior level. “Saud has been captaining since the U-19 level and led Sindh to the T20 title,” the 37-year-old added.

Saud has represented Pakistan in 10 Tests so far. He has amassed 967 runs at an average of 60.43. Shakeel has two centuries and six half-centuries in the longest format.

The PCB has made some changes to the Test squad for the upcoming home series against Bangladesh. Fast bowling duo Naseem Shah and Mohammad Ali have been recalled, while Mohammad Huraira and Kamran Ghulam have also been included in the squad considering their impressive performances in the home series.

About the new arrivals, Sarfaraz said, “It is a positive initiative that local players and Pakistan Falcons are getting an opportunity. Some players have already earned their place and we hope that more will get a chance in the future. It is a good sign that local players are being valued and are becoming a part of Pakistan’s senior team.”

The first Test match between Pakistan and Bangladesh will begin in Rawalpindi on August 21. The next match will be played in Karachi on August 30.