The men’s national selection committee today announced a 16-member squad for the two-Test series against Bangladesh scheduled in Bangladesh next month. The major announcement has included four uncapped cricketers – Abdullah Fazal, Imad Butt, Azan, Ghazi, Mohammad Ghazi and Ghazi in the national team. Under the leadership of Shan Masood, former Test captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has also been appointed head coach, bringing a significant change in the team management ahead of these crucial matches of the ICC World Test Championship.
The first encounter of the series is set to take place at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka from 8 to 12 May. Subsequently, the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium will host the second Test, running from 16 to 20 May.
Among the selected cricketers, five individuals – Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Noman Ali, and Sajid Khan – are currently participating in the ongoing NCA Red-Ball Camp in Lahore, sharpening their skills for the upcoming challenge.
The full squad will convene for a preparatory camp in Karachi, assembling on Monday, 27 April. This intensive training programme will conclude on 1 May, with the team scheduled to depart for Bangladesh on 2 May. Players who are part of the Test squad and are presently competing in HBL PSL Xl will integrate into the camp following the conclusion of their respective teams’ campaigns. Those whose teams advance to the final will proceed to Bangladesh after the tournament”s culmination.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has also confirmed the red-ball coaching appointments for the Bangladesh tour. Sarfaraz Ahmed, a former captain who led Pakistan to two ICC titles (ICC U19 World Cup 2006 and ICC Champions Trophy 2017), takes the helm as head coach. His recent experience includes guiding Pakistan U19 to the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup title as mentor/manager five months prior and serving as mentor/manager for Pakistan Shaheens against England Lions earlier this year.
Complementing the coaching staff are former Test cricketers Asad Shafiq and Umar Gul, who will serve as batting and bowling coaches, respectively. Asad Shafiq’s illustrious career spanned 147 international matches (77 Tests, 60 ODIs, 10 T20Is), where he accumulated 6,188 runs, including 12 centuries and 36 half-centuries. Umar Gul, a right-arm fast bowler, featured in 237 international matches (47 Tests, 130 ODIs, 60 T20Is) and claimed an impressive 427 wickets.
The 16-member squad comprises: Shan Masood (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais, Babar Azam, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
The comprehensive team management for the tour includes: 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), and Muhammad Ehsan (masseur).