AGENCIES

Pakistan Cricket Board yesterday named four uncapped players in their squad for next month’s two-Test series against Bangladesh, while also appointing Sarfaraz Ahmed as head coach.

Sarfaraz, who led Pakistan to the 2017 Champions Trophy title, replaces interim coaches Aaqib Javed and Azhar Mahmood, who had guided the side since Jason Gillespie’s departure in December. Former Pakistan pacer Umar Gul joins as bowling coach.

Captain Shan Masood leads a squad featuring new faces Azan Awais, Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt and Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, rewarded for strong domestic performances.

The team will travel to Bangladesh on May 2 for the World Test Championship matches in Dhaka (May 8–12) and Sylhet (May 12–16). Pakistan are currently fifth in the WTC standings after a 1-1 home draw against South Africa last year.

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