Pakistan Test Squad Arrives in Dhaka as Babar Azam, Khurram Shahzad Join After PSL 11 Title Win

Key facts

• First Test begins May 8 at Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka; second Test from May 16-20 at Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.
• Pakistan sit fifth in WTC standings with 12 points from two matches against South Africa.
• Babar Azam and Khurram Shahzad joined the squad late after winning PSL 11 with Peshawar Zalmi.
• Four uncapped players in Pakistan squad: Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori.
• Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto is a fitness concern due to a hamstring injury.
• Bangladesh recalled Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam, both last played a Test in 2024.
• Pakistan lead head-to-head 12-2 in 15 Tests; one match drawn.
• Sarfaraz Ahmed has taken over as head coach of the Pakistan Test side.

Pakistan Begin WTC Campaign in Dhaka with Revamped Squad

Pakistan’s Test squad has assembled in Dhaka for a two-match series against Bangladesh that marks the beginning of both teams’ campaigns in the 2025-27 ICC World Test Championship. The first Test, scheduled from May 8 to 12 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium, will be followed by a second fixture at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium from May 16 to 20. Captain Shan Masood will lead a 16-member side that includes four uncapped players, while former skipper Sarfaraz Ahmed has taken charge of the coaching setup. The team held its first training session at the Shere-Bangla National Stadium on Monday, focusing on batting and bowling drills under the guidance of the support staff, who had already arrived in Bangladesh ahead of the players.

Babar Azam and Khurram Shahzad Join After PSL 11 Final

Star batsman Babar Azam and fast bowler Khurram Shahzad arrived in Dhaka later than the rest of the squad after fulfilling commitments in the Pakistan Super League 11. Both players represented Peshawar Zalmi, which won the tournament by defeating Hyderabad Kingsmen in the final. Their late departure meant they missed the five-day training camp held at the National Bank Stadium in Karachi prior to the series. Their inclusion bolsters a Pakistan batting lineup that already features the experienced Imam-ul-Haq and Saud Shakeel, while the pace attack is spearheaded by Shaheen Shah Afridi and Hasan Ali. Mohammad Rizwan will keep wickets, with Muhammad Ghazi Ghori as the second wicketkeeper.

Four Uncapped Players Earn Maiden Call-Ups

Pakistan’s squad features four uncapped players, signaling a generational shift in the Test side. Top-order batter Abdullah Fazal, 23, has scored four centuries and ten half-centuries in 25 first-class matches. Azan Awais averages 48.60 from 33 domestic red-ball games, with ten tons to his name. Right-arm seamer Amad Butt and wicketkeeper-batter Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, who has played a single ODI, complete the list of debutants. Bangladesh have also introduced fresh faces, naming two uncapped players in Tanzid Hasan and Amite Hasan. Tanzid has extensive white-ball experience with 45 T20Is and 34 ODIs, while Amite, a 24-year-old batter, averages 49.32 in 49 first-class matches. The hosts have recalled fast bowlers Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam, both of whom last played a Test in 2024.

Bangladesh Captain's Fitness a Concern Ahead of First Test

Bangladesh will be monitoring captain Najmul Hossain Shanto’s fitness after he suffered a hamstring injury during the third ODI against New Zealand last month. Shanto leads a squad that includes experienced campaigners Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, and Mehidy Hasan Miraz, who will serve as vice-captain. The hosts have named their squad only for the first Test so far, with potential changes for the second match depending on conditions and player availability. Historically, Pakistan have dominated the rivalry, winning 12 of the 15 Tests played between the two sides. Bangladesh have two victories, while one match ended in a draw. The series forms part of the World Test Championship, where Pakistan currently sit fifth with 12 points from two home Tests against South Africa earlier this year.

WTC Stakes High for Both Sides

For Pakistan, the series offers an opportunity to climb the WTC standings after a mixed start to the cycle. The team’s only matches so far were against South Africa at home, yielding one win and one loss. Bangladesh, meanwhile, are yet to play a Test in the current championship and will be eager to make an early impression on home soil. The coaching changes in the Pakistan camp add another layer of intrigue. Sarfaraz Ahmed, a former captain who led Pakistan to the 2017 Champions Trophy title, has taken over as head coach, bringing a wealth of experience to a relatively young squad. His appointment comes amid a broader restructuring of Pakistan’s coaching staff.

Series Opens Door for Red-Ball Revival in Bangladesh

The two Tests represent a rare extended red-ball assignment for both teams, who have prioritized limited-overs cricket in recent years. Bangladesh’s recall of Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam signals a desire to bolster their pace attack on pitches that traditionally assist spin. Pakistan’s selection of four uncapped players suggests a long-term vision, with an eye on building depth ahead of future WTC cycles. As the cricketing world turns its attention to Dhaka, the series will test not only the skills of the players but also the resilience of two teams navigating transitions. For Pakistan, the immediate task is clear: adapt quickly to subcontinental conditions and assert dominance in a format where they have historically held the upper hand.

The bottom line

• Pakistan’s Test squad includes four uncapped players, reflecting a youth-focused strategy under new coach Sarfaraz Ahmed.
• Babar Azam and Khurram Shahzad joined the squad late after winning PSL 11 with Peshawar Zalmi.
• Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto is a fitness doubt due to a hamstring injury.
• The two-match series is part of the 2025-27 World Test Championship; Pakistan have 12 points from two Tests.
• Pakistan lead the head-to-head record 12-2 in 15 Tests against Bangladesh.
• Both teams have recalled experienced fast bowlers: Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam for Bangladesh, Shaheen Afridi and Hasan Ali for Pakistan.