New Delhi: Pakistan has picked a 16-member squad for the upcoming Test series against Bangladesh. Jean Massoud Lead one side. former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed Will be the head coach, Asad Shafiq as batting coach and Umar Gul as bowling coach.The team is looking to improve its ranking in the ICC World Test Championship, where it is currently fifth with 50 per cent points, while Bangladesh are eighth. The two-match series will begin on May 8 and reflects the slightly new approach adopted by the selectors.
One of the most talked about topics is the addition of Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais and Ghazi Guri, four players who have not played for the national team. Fazal and Avaiz have been rewarded for their stellar performances at home, while Butt brings experience as an all-rounder. Guri, a wicketkeeper-batsman, has had a taste of the international game cricket He recently made his debut against Bangladesh.At the same time, the Pakistan team also retains a group of strong senior players such as Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Salman Ali Agha, etc., giving the team a good balance between youth and experience.To prepare for the series, players not participating in the Pakistan Super League will attend a training camp in Karachi from April 27 to May 1. Apart from the squad, the Pakistan Cricket Board also announced a new coaching set-up.The first Test will be played at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium from May 8 to 12 and the second Test at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium from May 16 to 20.Pakistan’s line-up for Bangladesh Test: 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
