The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Bangladesh, scheduled for next month. Shan Masood will continue to lead the side, while a significant development in the team setup is the appointment of a new head coach.
Former wicketkeeper-batsman Sarfaraz Ahmed has been named as Pakistan’s head coach for the series. The position had remained vacant for several months, and speculation surrounding Sarfaraz’s potential appointment has now been confirmed through the official announcement.
The squad includes four uncapped players: Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais and Muhammad Ghazi Ghori. Their inclusion reflects a blend of experience and new talent in the touring party. Several members of the squad, including Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Noman Ali and Sajid Khan, are currently participating in a red-ball training camp at the National Cricket Academy (NCA) in Lahore.
A majority of the selected players are also involved in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL). According to a PCB press release, a preparatory camp will be held in Karachi ahead of the Bangladesh tour. The camp is scheduled to begin on 27 April and will continue until 1 May. Following the conclusion of the camp, the team is set to depart for Bangladesh on 2 May.
Players engaged in PSL commitments will join the camp after completing their respective franchise matches. In cases where teams progress to the PSL final, those players will travel directly to Bangladesh after the tournament concludes.
The Test series will commence on 8 May at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Mirpur. The second and final Test is scheduled to begin on 16 May at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
In addition to the head coach, the PCB has confirmed the supporting coaching staff for the tour. Asad Shafiq will serve as batting coach, while Umar Gul has been appointed as bowling coach.
Below is the full squad for the Bangladesh Test series:
| No. | Player Name | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shan Masood (Captain) | Batter |
| 2 | Abdullah Fazal | Batter |
| 3 | Amad Butt | All-rounder |
| 4 | Azan Awais | Batter |
| 5 | Babar Azam | Batter |
| 6 | Hasan Ali | Bowler |
| 7 | Imam-ul-Haq | Batter |
| 8 | Khurram Shehzad | Bowler |
| 9 | Mohammad Abbas | Bowler |
| 10 | Mohammad Rizwan | Wicketkeeper |
| 11 | Muhammad Ghazi Ghori | Wicketkeeper |
| 12 | Noman Ali | Bowler |
| 13 | Sajid Khan | Bowler |
| 14 | Salman Ali | All-rounder |
| 15 | Saud Shakeel | Batter |
| 16 | Shaheen Shah Afridi | Bowler |
The series will provide both teams with an opportunity to assess squad combinations and player performances in the longer format, particularly with the inclusion of several new faces in the Pakistan lineup.