New Coaching Team and Fresh Faces for World Test Championship Clash
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled a 16-member squad for the upcoming two-Test series against Bangladesh, marking a significant shift in leadership with former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed appointed as head coach for the tour. Shan Masood will continue to captain the side in the fixtures, which are part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle.
Series Schedule and Squad Composition
The Bangladesh Cricket Board confirmed the series will be held in Dhaka and Sylhet. The first Test is scheduled from May 8 to 12 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka, with the second Test to follow from May 16 to 20 in Sylhet.
The squad signals an infusion of new talent, featuring four uncapped players:
- Abdullah Fazal
- Amad Butt
- Azan Awais
- Muhammad Ghazi Ghori
They join established stars like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi in a blend of experience and youth.
Preparations and Logistics
The national team will assemble in Karachi on April 27 for a preparatory camp running until May 1, before departing for Bangladesh on May 2. Players involved in the ongoing Pakistan Super League XI will join the camp after their teams’ campaigns conclude, with finalists traveling directly to Bangladesh following the tournament.
Several selected players, including Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, and Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, are currently participating in a red-ball camp at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.
Coaching Staff Appointments
The PCB confirmed a new-look coaching team for the tour. Sarfaraz Ahmed, who led Pakistan to the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 victory and recently guided the U19 side to an Asia Cup title as mentor, steps into the head coach role.
He will be supported by former Test cricketer Asad Shafiq as batting coach and ex-fast bowler Umar Gul as bowling coach. Both bring substantial international experience to their new positions.
Full Squad and Management
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.
Team Management: Naveed Akram Cheema (manager), Sarfaraz Ahmed (head coach), Asad Shafiq (batting coach), Umar Gul (bowling coach), Abdul Saad (fielding coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Grant Luden (strength and conditioning coach), Usman Hashmi (analyst), Syed Naeem Ahmad (media manager), Lt. Col. (r) Usman Anwari (security manager), Dr Wajid Ali Rafai (team doctor), Muhammad Ehsan (masseur).
