Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Pakistan have named a 16-member squad for their upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. Captain Shan Masood will lead a revamped side in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship cycle.Pakistan currently sit fifth on the WTC table with a 50 percent points tally and will look to climb higher against Bangladesh, who are placed eighth. The two-match series, beginning May 8, also signals a fresh approach from the selectors, with four uncapped players included in the squad.
Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais and Ghazi Ghori have all earned their maiden Test call-ups. Fazal and Awais, both left-handed batters, impressed with consistent performances in domestic cricket, while Butt adds experience as a bowling all-rounder since his first-class debut in 2015. Wicketkeeper-batter Ghori recently made his ODI debut against Bangladesh, bringing some international exposure.The squad also retains a strong experienced core, including Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan and Salman Ali Agha, ensuring a balanced mix of youth and experience.Ahead of the tour, players not involved in the Pakistan Super League will attend a red-ball training camp in Karachi from April 27 to May 1.The Pakistan Cricket Board has also unveiled a new coaching setup. Former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed will serve as head coach, with Asad Shafiq as batting coach and Umar Gul as bowling coach.The first Test will be played from May 8 to 12 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, followed by the second Test from May 16 to 20 at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.Squad: Shan Masood (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais, Babar Azam, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan, Ghazi Ghori, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Shah AfridiSchedule:First Test: May 8-12, Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket StadiumSecond Test: May 16-20, Sylhet International Cricket
