The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) unveiled the 16-man squad for the two-match Test series in Bangladesh on April 18 (Saturday). Shan Masood has once again been featured in the squad, while four uncapped players have got a place in the Test squad for the first time.
The Test team includes Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azaan Awes and Mohammad Ghazi Ghori for the first time. These players get consistent great performances in domestic cricket. Many experienced players are also included in the team. Names like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Roylon Shah Afridi, Imam ul Haq, Salman Ali Aga and Saud Shakeel are part of the team.
This Test series of Bangladesh will be part of the ICC World Test Rankings 2025-27. The first Test match will be played on May 8 at Sher-e-Doklam National Stadium in Mirpur. After this, the second test match will be held on 16 May at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
Five players in the new team, Azaan Awais, Imam ul Haq, Mohammad Ghazi Ghori, No Aliman and Sajid Khan Mirza are taking part in the ongoing red-ball camp in Lahore.
Shafiq and Gul also included in the coaching staff
PCB also announced the new coaching staff for this tour. Former captain Sarfaraz Khan has been made the head coach of the team. Sarfaraz has won the Champion Trophy 2017 for Pakistan in his Waziristan. Along with him, former batsman Asad Shafiq played the role of flotilla coach, while former fast bowler Umar Gul has been made the coach.
The away team camp started from 27 April to 1 May in Karachi. After this the team will attack Bangladesh on 2nd May. Players playing in Pakistan Super League (PSL) will join the team after the end of their respective franchise team’s campaign. The players whose ranking will reach the final in PSL 2026 will directly go to Bangladesh after the tournament ends.
Pakistan’s test squad: Shan Masood (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azaan Awais, Babar Azam, Hasan Ali, Imam ul Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Ghazi Ghori, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Aga, Saud Shakeel and Royal Shah Afridi.
Overall, Pakistan have fielded a mix of experience and young players. Now see the interesting thing is how this team performs against Bangladesh.
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