LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially appointed Sarfaraz Ahmed as the head coach for the two-match Test series against Bangladesh from May 8 to 20.
The series, which is part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27, will begin with the first Test at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka from May 8 to 12.
The second Test will be played at the Sylhet International Cricket Ground from May 16 to 20.
Sarfaraz, who led Pakistan to two major ICC titles – ICC U-19 Cricket World Cup 2006 and ICC Champions Trophy 2017 – recently led Pakistan U-19 to victory in the ACC Men’s Asia Cup as mentor and manager.
He served in a similar role with Pakistan Shaheens during the series against England Lions earlier this year.
Former Test cricketers Asad Shafiq and Umar Gul have been appointed as batting and bowling coaches respectively.
Azad represented Pakistan in 147 internationals – including 77 Tests, 60 ODIs and 10 T20Is – scoring 6,188 runs with 12 centuries and 36 fifties.
A right-arm fast bowler, Umar has played 237 international matches – 47 Tests, 130 ODIs and 60 T20Is – taking 427 wickets.
Meanwhile, Abdul Saad, who previously served as the fielding coach of the Pakistan women’s team, has been appointed in the same role in the men’s team.
The PCB has confirmed the 16-man squad for the series, with Shaun Masood to lead the squad.
Abdullah Fazal, Amat Butt, Azan Awais and Muhammad Qazi Ghori are four uncapped players who have received their first call-ups to the national team.
The team will assemble in Karachi on April 27 for a training camp that will last until May 1 before leaving for Bangladesh on May 2.
Players participating in the ongoing Pakistan Super League will join the camp after completing their respective campaigns, while those participating in the finals will directly travel to Bangladesh at the conclusion of the tournament.
Team Management:
Naveed Akram Seema (Manager), Sarfaraz Ahmed (Head Coach), Asad Shafiq (Batting Coach), Umar Gul (Bowling Coach), Abdul Saad (Fielding Coach), Cliff Deegan (Physiotherapist), Grant Loudon (Strength and Conditioning Coach), Usman Hashmi (Analyst) Usman Anwari (Defense Manager), Dr. Wajid Ali Rafai (Group Physician) and Muhammad Ehsan (Masseur).