Sarfaraz Ahmed Takes Helm of Pakistan’s Test Team Ahead of Bangladesh Series
Former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, who once led Pakistan to their 2017 ICC Champions Trophy win, is stepping into the role of head coach for the national Test team. This change comes as Pakistan prepares for a two-match Test series against Bangladesh, part of the ICC World Test Championship cycle. In addition to Sarfaraz, the Pakistan Cricket Board has also brought in ex-players Umar Gul and Asad Shafiq, who will serve as the bowling and batting coaches, respectively.
Sarfaraz’s leadership history includes guiding Pakistan to victory in the 2006 U19 World Cup, and he has remained actively involved in nurturing young talent. Recently, he managed the Pakistan U19 team that triumphed in the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup and also worked with the Pakistan Shaheens in their series against the England Lions.
Umar Gul adds to the coaching team with an impressive background, having played 237 matches for Pakistan and taken 427 wickets, while Asad Shafiq, appointed as batting coach, is recognized for his consistent performance, having played 147 international matches, including 77 Tests.
Alongside the coaching changes, the PCB announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming Test series. Shan Masood will continue to captain the team, which includes four players yet to make their Test debuts: Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais, and Muhammad Ghazi Ghori.
According to the PCB, the players will gather for a training camp in Karachi starting April 27 and concluding on May 1. They will leave for Bangladesh on May 2. Players involved in the HBL Pakistan Super League will join the training after their commitments are finished, with those whose teams advance to the final heading directly to Bangladesh afterward.
In their last encounter, Bangladesh made history against Pakistan by winning their first-ever Test series with a 2-0 victory in 2021, which included wins of 10 wickets and 6 wickets in the two Tests held in Rawalpindi.
16-Member 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
- 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)
- Muhammad Ehsan (masseur)
This new chapter promises to be exciting for both the team and its supporters as they gear up for their Test series against Bangladesh.
