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A New Chapter: Sarfaraz Ahmed Takes the Reins

In a move that blends seasoned leadership with fresh energy, Pakistan has appointed former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed as the head coach for the upcoming two-Test tour of Bangladesh. This marks a pivotal transition for Sarfaraz, moving from the player’s pavilion to the coaching box for a senior national side.

Sarfaraz is no stranger to high-pressure success. He famously led Pakistan to a historic Champions Trophy triumph in 2017, proving his tactical acumen on the world stage. Before stepping into this senior role, he honed his coaching skills as a mentor for the Under-19 team, guiding them to an Asia Cup victory with a decisive win over India in the final, and contributing to their World Cup campaign. Furthermore, his tenure with the Pakistan Shaheens during their series against England Lions in the UAE—though interrupted by the West Asia crisis—further solidified his readiness for this assignment.

Supporting Sarfaraz will be two former teammates, bringing a wealth of playing experience to the backroom staff. Asad Shafiq joins as the batting coach, marking his first formal coaching role, although he continues to serve on both the men’s and women’s selection panels. Meanwhile, Umar Gul returns to the fold as the bowling coach, leveraging his previous experience with Pakistan’s white-ball setups to sharpen the pace attack.

Youth Injection: Four Uncapped Talents Earn the Call

The squad for the Bangladesh tour reflects a desire to reward domestic excellence, with four uncapped players—Abdullah Fazal, Azan Awais, Ghazi Ghori, and Amad Butt—earning their maiden Test call-ups. These players have dominated the first-class circuit, proving they are ready for the rigors of international cricket.

The Opening Powerhouses: Fazal and Awais

Opening batter Abdullah Fazal enters the squad as one of the most prolific run-scorers in recent domestic history. In the recent President’s Trophy, Fazal was the leading run-getter, amassing 622 runs across seven matches at a commanding average of 51.83. His appetite for big scores was evident in his highest score of 182, alongside two centuries and two half-centuries during the tournament.

Joining him in the search for opening stability is Azan Awais, who has been in scintillating form over the last two first-class seasons. Awais has been a constant threat in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy and President’s Trophy, accumulating a staggering 2,673 runs at an average of 48.6. His ability to convert starts into big scores is highlighted by ten centuries across two seasons, including a dominant 2024-25 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy campaign where he led all scorers with 844 runs from eight matches.

Wicketkeeping and All-round Depth: Ghori and Butt

The wicketkeeping department sees the addition of Ghazi Ghori, who finished closely behind Fazal in the President’s Trophy run-scoring charts. Ghori tallied 531 runs at an average of 48.27, including two centuries. Having recently made his international debut during the ODI tour of Bangladesh, Ghori will be well-acquainted with the local conditions.

Adding versatility to the bowling attack is fast-bowling all-rounder Amad Butt. Butt gained significant attention in January 2026 when his four wickets proved pivotal in PTV’s record defense of just 40 runs against SNGPL. He concluded that season as his team’s leading wicket-taker with 32 scalps at an impressive average of 19.21, while also contributing 206 runs with the bat.

Squad Shuffles and Strategic Recalls

The selection committee has made five notable omissions from the squad that faced South Africa at home. Abdullah Shafique, Asif Ali, Abrar Ahmed, Kamran Ghulam, and Rohail Nazir have all been dropped. Shafique’s exclusion follows a disappointing return of 41, 2, 6, and 57 in the South Africa series, which failed to meet the selectors’ expectations after his return to Test cricket.

In a boost to the pace battery, Mohammad Abbas earns a recall. After missing two home series against the West Indies and South Africa, the Derbyshire County Championship regular returns to the fold. Abbas last featured for Pakistan in the January 2025 Cape Town Test. He joins a formidable pace attack consisting of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Hasan Ali, and Khurram Shahzad.

The core of the team remains stable under the captaincy of Shan Masood. The batting lineup continues to rely on the expertise of Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Agha, Saud Shakeel, and Imam ul Haq, while the spin department will be spearheaded by the duo of Noman Ali and Sajid Khan.

The Road to Bangladesh

This tour represents a critical juncture for Pakistan as it is their second assignment of the current ICC World Test Championship cycle. The series will be played across two cities: the first Test commences in Dhaka on May 8, followed by the second Test in Sylhet on May 16.

Official Pakistan Squad for Test Series in Bangladesh:

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• Shan Masood (capt)
• Abdullah Fazal
• Amad Butt
• Azan Awais
• Babar Azam
• Hasan Ali
• Imam-ul-Haq
• Khurram Shahzad
• Mohammad Abbas
• Mohammad Rizwan (wk)
• Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk)
• Noman Ali
• Sajid Khan
• Salman Ali Agha
• Saud Shakeel
• Shaheen Shah Afridi