Pakistan have picked four uncapped players in their 16-member squad for their upcoming Test series against Bangladesh, starting May 8 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka.
Led by Shan Masood, Pakistan have handed maiden Test call-ups to Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais and Ghazi Ghori for the two-match red-ball series. While the first Test will be played from May 8-12 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, the second match will be played from May 16-20 at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
Fazal and Awais, both left-handed batters, have been rewarded for consistent performances in domestic cricket, while Butt, a seasoned bowling all-rounder, brings experience from a first-class career that began in 2015. Wicketkeeper-batter Ghori, though uncapped in Tests, has already featured in ODIs, having made his debut against Bangladesh last month.
The squad also retains a strong core of experienced players, including Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan and Salman Ali Agha, as Pakistan look to strengthen their position in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship cycle, where they are currently placed fifth.
Bangladesh, meanwhile, sit eighth in the standings, adding further context to the importance of the series for both sides.
Ahead of the tour, Pakistan’s red-ball preparations will begin with a training camp in Karachi from April 27 to May 1 for players not involved in the Pakistan Super League. The Pakistan Cricket Board has also confirmed the coaching staff for the tour, with former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed taking over as head coach, supported by Asad Shafiq as batting coach and Umar Gul as bowling coach.
Pakistan squad for Bangladesh tour: 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 Afridi