Pakistan have named a 16-man squad for their upcoming Test series against Bangladesh, with Shan Masood taking over as captain. Sarfaraz Ahmed has been appointed head coach, while Asad Shafiq will lead the batting department and Umar Gul will oversee bowling preparation. The selection is aimed at lifting Pakistan’s standing in the ICC World Test Championship, where they currently occupy the fifth spot with a points percentage of 50, while Bangladesh are positioned eighth.
Key takeaways
- Shan Masood will captain Pakistan in the two-match Test series versus Bangladesh.
- Sarfaraz Ahmed is set to work as head coach, with Asad Shafiq (batting) and Umar Gul (bowling) completing the new-look coaching team.
- Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais and Ghazi Ghori are the four uncapped inclusions in the squad.
- Pakistan are preparing to improve their World Test Championship position, currently fifth with a 50% points tally.
- The series starts on May 8 and will feature Tests at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium and Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
Fresh faces and a blend of experience
A major talking point in Pakistan’s selection is the arrival of four players who have yet to play Test cricket: Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais and Ghazi Ghori. Fazal and Awais have earned their places through strong domestic form, while Butt is brought in as an all-round option with prior experience in the international arena. Ghori, who is a wicketkeeper-batter, has already tasted international action earlier in the year, following an ODI debut against Bangladesh.
Alongside these new prospects, Pakistan have also retained several established performers such as Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan and Salman Ali Agha. The overall squad composition is designed to balance emerging talent with proven campaigners.
Preparation camp and match schedule
To fine-tune their preparations, players who are not currently involved in the Pakistan Super League are scheduled to report for a training camp in Karachi. The camp will run from April 27 through May 1.
Pakistan’s Test series will then follow a tight schedule. The opening Test is set to begin on May 8 and will run until May 12 at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium. The second match follows from May 16 to May 20 at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
Pakistan squad for Bangladesh Tests
Shan Masood (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais, Babar Azam, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan, Ghazi Ghori, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi.
