PAKISTAN NAME 16-MEMBER SQUAD ANNOUNCED FOR BANGLADESH TEST SERIES

Pakistan name 16-member squad announced for Bangladesh Test series
©PCB

Pakistan has named a 16-member squad for the two-Test series between Pakistan and Bangladesh set to take place in Bangladesh in May

The first of the two matches – part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 will be played at Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka from 8 to 12 May, while Sylhet International Cricket Stadium will host the second Test which will be played from 16 to 20 May.

Shan Masood will continue to lead the Test side, while four uncapped players – Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais and Muhammad Ghazi Ghori are part of the squad.

Among the squad, five players – Azan Awais, Imam-ul-Haq, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Noman Ali and Sajid Khan are currently taking part in the ongoing NCA Red-Ball Camp in Lahore.

The players will undergo a camp in Karachi and will assemble on Monday, 27 April. The camp will conclude on 1 May, with the players scheduled to fly to Bangladesh on 2 May. Players who are part of the Test squad and are currently taking part in HBL PSL Xl will join the camp following the conclusion of their team’s campaign. Players whose teams qualify for the final will depart for Bangladesh after the conclusion of the tournament.

The PCB also confirms the appointment of red-ball coaches for the Bangladesh tour, with former Test captain Sarfaraz Ahmed appointed as head coach. Sarfaraz, who won two ICC titles as captain of Pakistan – ICC U19 World Cup 2006 and ICC Champions Trophy 2017 also guided Pakistan U19 to the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup title as mentor/manager five months ago. He was also mentor/manager of Pakistan Shaheens against England Lions series earlier this year.

Former Test cricketers Asad Shafiq and Umar Gul will work as batting and bowling coaches, respectively, on the tour. Asad featured in 147 international matches (77 Tests, 60 ODIs, 10 T20Is), scoring 6,188 runs, including 12 centuries and 36 half-centuries. Right-arm fast bowler Umar featured in 237 international matches (47 Tests, 130 ODIs, 60 T20Is), taking 427 wickets.

Squad

Shan Masood (captain), 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 and Shaheen Shah Afridi

Team Management

Naveed Akram Cheema (manager), Sarfaraz Ahmed (head coach), Asad Shafiq (batting coach), Umar Gul (bowling coach), Abdul Saad (fielding coach) Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Grant Luden (strength and conditioning coach), Usman Hashmi (analyst), Syed Naeem Ahmad (media manager), Lt. Col. (r) Usman Anwari (security manager), Dr Wajid Ali Rafai (team doctor) and Muhammad Ehsan (masseur)

©Cricket World 2026

- PCB & Cricket World 

"99% OF DOMESTIC COACHES IN PAKISTAN HAVE NOT EVEN PLAYED PROPER CRICKET" : SHOAIB MOHAMMAD

In our latest exclusive interview with PakPassion, Shoaib Mohammad, former Pakistan Test cricketer and son of the legendary Hanif Mohammad, joined Saj and shared his candid insights on the current state of Pakistan cricket.

With an impressive career and years of experience in coaching, Shoaib spoke about the challenges faced by the national team, the technical flaws in modern-day batting, and what needs to be changed for Pakistan to regain its lost glory.

Main topics covered in this interview:

Modern batters’ lack of technical discipline: He emphasized that today’s batters prioritize aggression over technique, undermining their ability to thrive in Test cricket’s demanding format.

PCB’s flawed coaching structure: Highlighted the PCB’s reliance on inexperienced coaches, stressing that most lack high-level playing credentials, which hampers player development.

Abdullah Shafique’s need for technical refinement: Pointed out Shafique’s struggles with footwork and shot selection, urging him to adapt his approach for long-term success.

Saim Ayub’s potential: Praised Ayub’s "exceptional talent" and shot-making ability but emphasized the importance of patience and crease occupation to cement his place.

Babar Azam’s struggles: Acknowledged Babar’s dip in form but highlighted his class, comparing his phase to Greg Chappell’s 1981 slump and backing him to rebound.

India-Pakistan rivalry: The absence of regular clashes deprives players of a career-defining stage and fans of cricket’s "most exciting rivalry."

Shan Masood’s leadership vs. batting form: He spoke about Masood’s captaincy mindset but stressed the need for him to improve his batting to inspire confidence as a leader.

- Saj Sadiq

RICKELTON, BAVUMA HIT CENTURIES AS SOUTH AFRICA TAKE CONTROL OF CAPE TOWN TEST

CAPE TOWN – Ryan Rickelton and Temba Bavuma hit centuries as South Africa posted 316/4 at stumps on Day-I of the second Test against Pakistan at Cape Town on Friday.

After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Aiden Markram (17) and Ryan Rickelton (career-best 176 not out) provided a solid foundation with a 61-run opening partnership.

Just before lunch, Pakistan bowlers put South Africa on back foot by taking three quick wickets. Skipper Temba Bavuma (106) and Rickelton stitched a 235-run partnership for the fourth wicket to take South Africa to a comfortable position. Salman Agha bagged two wickets while Mohammad Abbas and Khurram Shahzad took one wicket each.

The hosts are 1-0 up in the series after winning the Boxing Day Test by two wickets. Pakistan made one change in the Playing XI, bringing Mir Hamza in place of Naseem Shah.

Just before lunch, Pakistan bowlers put South Africa on back foot by taking three quick wickets. Skipper Temba Bavuma (106) and Rickelton stitched a 235-run partnership for the fourth wicket to take South Africa to a comfortable position. Salman Agha bagged two wickets while Mohammad Abbas and Khurram Shahzad took one wicket each.

The hosts are 1-0 up in the series after winning the Boxing Day Test by two wickets. Pakistan made one change in the Playing XI, bringing Mir Hamza in place of Naseem Shah.

South Africa Playing XI: 1 Aiden Markram, 2 Ryan Rickelton, 3 Wiaan Mulder, 4 Tristan Stubbs, 5 Temba Bavuma( capt), 6 David Bedingham, 7 Kyle Verreynne (wk), 8 Marco Jansen, 9 Keshav Maharaj, 10 Kagiso Rabada, 11 Kwena Maphaka

Pakistan Playing XI: 1 Shan Masood (capt), 2 Saim Ayub, 3 Babar Azam, 4 Kamran Ghulam, 5 Saud Shakeel, 6 Mohammad Rizwan (wk), 7 Salman Agha, 8 Aamer Jamal, 9 Khurram Shahzad, 10 Mohammad Abbas, 11 Mir Hamza.

- Pakistan Observer