Pakistan national cricket team have announced a 16-member squad for their upcoming two-Test series against Bangladesh national cricket team. The series, part of the ICC World Test Championship, will be played in Bangladesh next month.
Shan Masood will continue to lead Pakistan’s Test side as the team prepares for an important red-ball assignment.
Pakistan currently sit fifth in the ICC World Test Championship standings with a 50% points percentage, while Bangladesh are placed eighth with 16.67%.
The selection committee has included four uncapped players in the squad: Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais and Muhammad Ghazi Ghori.
Fazal and Awais, both left-handed batters, have been rewarded for their impressive domestic performances. Amad Butt, a bowling all-rounder, brings over a decade of domestic experience since his first-class debut in 2015.
Wicketkeeper-batter Ghazi Ghori, meanwhile, has already featured in international white-ball cricket, making his ODI debut against Bangladesh last month.
Experienced players strengthen squad
The squad also features key experienced players including Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan and Salman Ali Agha.
These players are expected to provide stability and leadership alongside the new entrants.
Five players – Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Noman Ali and Sajid Khan – are currently participating in the NCA Red-Ball Camp in Lahore.
Ahead of the tour, players will assemble in Karachi for a training camp starting on April 27, which will run until May 1.
Players currently involved in the ongoing PSL XI will join the camp after their team’s campaign concludes. Those whose teams qualify for the final will travel directly to Bangladesh after the tournament. The squad is scheduled to depart for Bangladesh on May 2.
Test series schedule in Bangladesh
The two-match Test series will begin at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium from May 8 to 12. The second Test will be held at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium from May 16 to 20.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has appointed former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed as head coach for the Bangladesh tour.
Sarfaraz brings significant experience, having led Pakistan to ICC U19 World Cup victory in 2006 and the ICC Champions Trophy in 2017. He also recently guided Pakistan U19 to the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup title and served as mentor/manager for Pakistan Shaheens.
Former Test cricketer Asad Shafiq will serve as batting coach, while Umar Gul has been appointed as bowling coach.
Asad represented Pakistan in 147 international matches, scoring 6,188 runs with 12 centuries and 36 fifties. Umar Gul played 237 matches across formats, taking 427 wickets during his career.
Full 16-member squad
The squad includes:
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 and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
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