Pakistan squad for Bangladesh Tests: Four uncapped players named, two selectors take coaching roles

Pakistan appoint new Test coach, pick four uncapped players for Bangladesh tour

The squad was announced on Saturday (April 18), for the two Tests against Bangladesh set to take place from May 8-12 and May 16-20. Batters Abdullah Fazal and Azan Awais, all-rounder Amad Butt and wicketkeeper Muhammad Ghazi Ghori have all received Test call-ups for the first time.

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Eleven of the 18 players that were selected for the home series against South Africa, Pakistan's previous Test engagement, have kept their places in the side. Abrar Ahmed, Asif Afridi, Faisal Akram, Kamran Ghulam, Aamir Jamal, Rohail Nazir and Abdullah Shafique are all out. The four uncapped players are in, as is senior paceman Mohammad Abbas.

Abbas, now 36, last played for Pakistan on their tour of South Africa in 2024/25. He is currently in action for Derbyshire in the County Championship, having taken six wickets in the first two rounds. Derbyshire have a bye in the ongoing third round. The seamer was granted an NOC to play for the county from April 3-13, April 24-May 18, Jun 12-22 and August 20-September 27.

The PCB's squad announcement states that the players will assemble for a camp in Karachi on April 27, with an exception for those still taking part in the Pakistan Super League – they will join as and when their teams' respective campaigns conclude (the final is on May 3). If Abbas is part of that camp in full, he could miss four games for Derbyshire.

Alongside the squad, the PCB also confirmed the appointment of former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed as the new head coach for their Test side. Sarfaraz, who won the Champions Trophy in 2017, was appointed to the national selection panel last month and retired from international cricket, in that order. Asad Shafiq, another member of the four-strong men's selection committee, has been appointed the team's batting coach while Umar Gul has taken over as bowling coach. Shafiq is also a member of the women's national selection committee.

Pakistan squad for tour of Bangladesh

Batters: Shan Masood (c), Salman Ali Agha, Babar Azam, Saud Shakeel, Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Fazal, Azan Awais.

Wicketkeepers: Mohammad Rizwan, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori.

All-rounders: Amad Butt.

Bowlers: Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas.

Pakistan Test squad: Changes from South Africa home series

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