Sarfaraz Ahmed, who has recently stepped away from international cricket and served as mentor-manager for Pakistan’s Under-19 team during their Asia Cup triumph, has been appointed head coach of Pakistan’s senior men’s Test squad ahead of the tour of Bangladesh. The visit is scheduled to feature a two-match Test series next month, as Pakistan prepare for another round in the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle.
Coaching appointments and squad leadership
Alongside Sarfaraz’s appointment, former Test players Asad Shafiq and Umar Gul have been named as Pakistan’s batting and bowling coaches respectively. Shan Masood will remain in charge as captain for the Bangladesh Tests, providing continuity at the helm as the team targets points within the World Test Championship framework.
Training, player availability and tour schedule
- Sarfaraz Ahmed takes up the role of head coach for the upcoming Bangladesh Test tour.
- Pakistan’s squad includes four uncapped players: Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais and Muhammad Ghazi Ghori.
- Five members of the group are currently involved in a red-ball training camp in Lahore: Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Noman Ali and Sajid Khan.
- The first Test is set to be staged in Dhaka from May 8 to May 12.
- The second Test will be played in Sylhet from May 16 to May 20.
- Pakistan will assemble in Karachi on April 27 for a training camp that runs until May 1.
- The team is scheduled to depart for Bangladesh on May 2.
- Players engaged in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) will join the camp after their respective PSL teams finish their campaigns.
- Those involved in the PSL final will travel to the tour after the tournament concludes on May 3.
Pakistan Test squad
- Shan Masood (captain)
- Abdullah Fazal
- Amad Butt
- Azan Awais
- Babar Azam
- Hasan Ali
- Imam-ul-Haq
- Khurram Shahzad
- Mohammad Abbas
- Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
- Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk)
- Noman Ali
- Sajid Khan
- Salman Ali Agha
- Saud Shakeel
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
