KARACHI, July 12: Pakistan all-rounder Abdul Razzaq has joined Shoaib Akhtar in skipping the home series against Bangladesh starting next month.

Chief selector Aamer Sohail said on Saturday that Razzaq had told the cricket board and national selectors he would not be available for the three Tests and five One-day Internationals starting on August 20.

“Shoaib Akhtar has already been given permission by the Board to skip the Bangladesh series. And Razzaq will also not be available,” Aamir said.

Shoaib has permission from PCB to continue playing for English county Durham until Sept 17.

“The series against Bangladesh will give us a good opportunity to try out some young and new players in our rebuilding process,” said Aamir.

“We are planning to rest some senior players and try out the fringe players,” he added.

Bangladesh come to Pakistan immediately after their tour of Australia.

Aamir said Pakistan would be putting up their strongest squad against South Africa in the home series from September.

“That is the series we are targeting.”—Reuters