Sports Desk; LAHORE – The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh, scheduled to begin next month. While Shan Masood retains his position as captain, the most significant change comes in the coaching department, with former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed appointed as the head coach for this red-ball assignment.
New Faces and Coaching Shift
The squad features four uncapped players: Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais, and Muhammad Ghazi Ghori. The PCB’s decision to appoint Sarfaraz Ahmed as head coach follows months of speculation regarding the vacant position. Joining Sarfaraz in the coaching staff are former teammates Asad Shafiq as batting coach and Umar Gul as bowling coach.
Preparations and Schedule
Currently, several players—including Imam-ul-Haq and Noman Ali—are attending a red-ball camp at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore. A specialized training camp will commence in Karachi on April 27. The team is set to depart for Bangladesh on May 2.
Players currently participating in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will join the squad as their respective teams finish their campaigns. The first Test is scheduled to start on May 8 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur, followed by the second Test in Sylhet on May 16.
Pakistan’s 16-Member Test Squad:
Shan Masood (c), 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, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.