LAHORE: Four uncapped players were selected in a 16-member squad announced by Pakistan on Monday for an away two-Test series against Bangladesh next month, as six changes were made to the team that played the last Test series against South Africa at home.
According to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), the six players who were the part of the 18-member team for the Proteas’ series at home but could not retain their places in the team for the Bangladesh series include Abdullah Shafique, Aamer Jamal, Asif Afridi, Kamran Ghulam, Abrar Ahmed and Faisal Akram.
Four uncapped players -- Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais and Mohammad Ghazi Ghori -- have been picked for the series in Bangladesh series which is part of the 2025-27 World Test Championship.
Five members of the Bangladesh-bound squad, including Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Noman Ali and Sajid Khan, are currently attending the NCA red-ball training camp in Lahore, said the PCB press release.
Surprisingly, left-arm orthodox spinner Asif Afridi has been dropped after he appeared in his debut Test in which he fared well against South Africa in Rawalpindi. Though Pakistan lost that Test by eight wickets, Asif in an impressive show claimed six wickets.
Similarly, other campaigners including Aamer, Kamran, Abrar and Faisal were dropped for the Bangladesh series after they failed to get any chance in the playing XI in the South Africa series.
“The players will undergo a camp in Karachi and will assemble on April 27. The camp will conclude on May 1, with the players scheduled to fly to Bangladesh on May 2. Players who are part of the Test squad and are currently taking part in PSL Xl will join the camp following the conclusion of their team’s campaign. Players whose teams qualify for the final will depart for Bangladesh after the conclusion of the tournament,” the PCB release stated.
SARFARAZ NAMED HEAD COACH
Meanwhile, the PCB appointed former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed as head coach of Pakistan’s Test team, giving the wicket-keeper/batter dual responsibility. The 38-year-old is also a member of the national selection committee.
“The PCB also confirms the appointment of red-ball coaches for the Bangladesh tour, with former Test captain Sarfaraz Ahmed appointed as head coach. Sarfaraz, who won two ICC titles as captain of Pakistan – ICC U-19 World Cup 2006 and ICC Champions Trophy 2017 also guided Pakistan to the ACC Men’s U-19 Asia Cup title as mentor/manager five months ago. He was also mentor/manager of Pakistan Shaheens against England Lions series earlier this year,” the PCB statement added.
Former Test batter Asad Shafiq, who is another member of the selection committee, was appointed as batting coach while former Test fast bowler Umar Gul was named as bowling coach.
The series in Bangladesh starts on May 8 in Dhaka while the second Test will be staged from May 16 to 20 in Sylhet.
Squad: Shan Masood (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais, Babar Azam, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Ghazi Ghori (wicket-keeper), 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 (physio), Grant Luden (strength and conditioning coach), Usman Hashmi (analyst), Syed Naeem Ahmad (media manager), retired Lt Col Usman Anwari (security manager), Dr Wajid Ali Rafai (team doctor), Mohammad Ehsan (masseur)
Published in Dawn, April 19th, 2026