Four new caps in Pakistan Test squad, Sarfaraz appointed red-ball coach

Pakistan on Saturday named four uncapped players - Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais, and Muhammad Ghazi Ghori - in a 16-member squad for their upcoming Test series against Bangladesh.

The Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed that they have all earned maiden Test call-ups for the two-match series, which begins in Dhaka on 8 May.

Meanwhile, ICC Champions Trophy 2017 winning captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has been appointed head coach of the national red-ball side.

The former wicket-keeper takes charge following the departure of Australian coach Jason Gillespie, who stepped down from his role as Pakistan’s red-ball coach in December. He has previously worked with the Pakistan Under-19 side and Pakistan Shaheens, earning praise for his tactical acumen and leadership.

Fazal, a left-handed opener, has featured in franchise T20 cricket and represented Rawalpindi in the ongoing Pakistan Super League, while all-rounder Amad, 30, is yet to make his international debut in any format. 

Left-hander Azan is also set to experience international cricket for the first time, while Ghori has made only a solitary One Day International appearance, which came against Bangladesh last month in Mirpur.

However, former fast bowler Umar Gul, T20 World Cup winner for Pakistan, will join the backroom staff as bowling coach for the Bangladesh tour.

In the interim period, Aaqib Javed and Azhar Mahmood jointly guided the side.

The team will continue to be led by captain Shan Masood during the Bangladesh series.

Pakistan Test squad: ​Shan Masood (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, ​Azan ⁠Awais, Babar Azam, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Muhammad Ghazi ⁠Ghori (wicket-keeper), ​Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, ​Salman Agha, Saud Shakeel and Shaheen Afridi.