Tag: PAK vs BAN

KARACHI: Pakistan Test head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed has responded to criticism surrounding his appointment, saying he remains focused on his responsibilities despite external opinions ahead of the national side’s upcoming red-ball assignment.

Speaking to the media during a training camp at the Hanif Mohammad High-Performance Centre on Wednesday, Sarfaraz said he was aware of the discussions around his transition into coaching but insisted it does not affect his mindset as he begins his tenure with the national team.

“Former cricketers and my ex-colleagues have their own opinions. I am very positive about making the most of this new opportunity,” Sarfaraz said.

He further expressed confidence in the team’s support staff, highlighting the collective effort being put in ahead of the two-match Test series against Bangladesh, which is part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 cycle.

“My team management, including Umar Gul, Asad Shafiq, Grant Luden and Abdul Saad, and I are very confident about coaching the team to success,” he added.

The series will begin on May 8 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka, with the second Test scheduled to take place at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium from May 16 to 20.

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Sarfaraz Ahmed also addressed questions regarding Babar Azam’s form, praising the batter’s technical improvements and consistency across formats. Babar recently led Peshawar Zalmi to the final of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 and is expected to join the national squad after May 3.

“It is good to see Babar scoring runs and that too with a technical comeback. He is looking solid. Yes, he has scored runs in T20s but once he joins us, we will see his role here as well,” Sarfaraz said.

Several players, including skipper Shan Masood and Khurram Shahzad, are also expected to join the Test squad after completing their PSL commitments.

Pakistan currently sit fifth in the WTC standings with 12 points, having played only two matches in the current cycle against South Africa at home in 2025.

Pakistan Squad for Bangladesh Test series

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 and 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) and Muhammad Ehsan (masseur)

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DHAKA: Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has announced a 15-member squad for the opening Test against Pakistan, set to begin on May 8 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium as part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) cycle.

Najmul Hossain Shanto will continue to lead the side, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz appointed as vice-captain for the series opener.

The squad includes two uncapped players, Tanzid Hasan and Amite Hasan, both rewarded for their recent performances.

Tanzid, already a regular in white-ball formats, has featured in 34 ODIs and 45 T20Is, scoring over 1,900 runs, and will now look to establish himself in the longer format.

Amite, a 24-year-old middle-order batter, earns his maiden call-up on the back of consistent domestic returns, boasting a first-class average close to 50 since his debut in 2019.

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Bangladesh have also bolstered their bowling attack with the return of pace duo Taskin Ahmed and Shoriful Islam, who last featured in Tests in late 2024. Spinner Nayeem Hasan has also been recalled to the red-ball setup.

In the current WTC standings, Bangladesh are placed eighth, having registered one defeat and one draw from two matches, with a win percentage of 16.67.

Pakistan, meanwhile, sit fifth with one win and one loss, holding 12 points and a 50 percent win ratio.

The two-match series will continue with the second Test scheduled from May 16 to 20 at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.

Bangladesh squad: Najmul Hossain Shanto (c), Mahmudul Hasan Joy, Shadman Islam, Mominul Haque, Mushfiqur Rahim, Litton Das, Mehidy Hasan Miraz (vc), Taijul Islam, Nayeem Hasan, Ebadot Hossain, Shoriful Islam, Taskin Ahmed, Nahid Rana, Tanzid Hasan, Amite Hasan.

Pakistan 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 and Shaheen Shah Afridi

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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday announced a 16-member Test squad for the upcoming two-match series against Bangladesh, with four uncapped players included as part of what appears to be a continued push towards rebuilding the red-ball setup.

But beneath that routine selection cycle lies a deeper issue that continues to define Pakistan’s red-ball structure, lack of consistency in player development and long-term planning.

The series, part of the ICC World Test Championship cycle, will be played from May 8 to 20, with the first Test scheduled at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka and the second at the Sylhet International Cricket Stadium.

Shan Masood will continue to lead the side, while Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais and Muhammad Ghazi Ghori have earned maiden call-ups to the Test squad.

On paper, this looks like healthy regeneration. In practice, however, it adds to a growing concern: Pakistan keeps rotating through uncapped players without giving them time to settle at the highest level.

No continuity in the selection strategy

In the previous home Test series against South Africa in October 2025, Pakistan had also included three uncapped players, Asif Afridi, Rohail Nazir, and Faisal Akram, in the squad.

Out of those three, only left-arm spinner Afridi made his debut, picking up six wickets in his lone Test appearance, while the other two were never handed a cap before being dropped from the current squad.

These selections raise an important question: what was the point of their inclusion?

39-year-old Asif Afridi, with over 250 first-class wickets at an average close to 24, is a proven domestic performer, particularly in spin-friendly conditions like Bangladesh; however, he has been dropped after a solitary Test.

Similarly, left-arm wrist spinner Faisal Akram, who has 60 wickets in 15 first-class matches, is also out despite previously being part of the South Africa tour.

Interestingly, the squad features only two specialist spinners in Noman Ali and Sajid Ali.

Who is Pakistan’s reserve wicket-keeper?

Rohail Nazir, once seen as a long-term backup to Mohammad Rizwan, was also part of the South Africa squad but is now omitted despite having stronger domestic experience than the current replacement Muhammad Ghazi Ghori.

Rohail, who has 2470 first-class runs at 34.78 along with 148 catches and 23 stumpings in 52 matches, was not given a game in South Africa despite being in the squad.

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Ghori, meanwhile, has 1692 runs in 26 first-class matches at an average of 41.26. He is undeniably a talented keeper-batter, but the question is not about his ability; it is about the consistency of opportunity.

If Rohail was not going to be tested at the international level, why was he selected in the first place?

Top-order batting conundrum

Top-order batter Abdullah Shafique has been dropped after a below-par showing against South Africa, where he scored 106 runs at an average of 26.50; however, his opening partner Imam-ul-Haq remains in the squad after scoring just 13 more runs in the same series.

Two left-handed openers, Abdullah Fazal, who has scored 1828 runs in 25 first-class matches at 41.54, and Azan Awais, who has 2673 runs at an average of 48.60, have been included.

Their inclusion suggests a search for new opening combinations, but the lack of clarity around roles remains a concern. Will Pakistan persist with Imam and hand the Test cap to one of these two? Or will we see a new opening pair with two new batters? There is no clarity, and that uncertainty often reflects a lack of planning.

It’s worth noting that a similar search for a reliable Test opener landed an opportunity for Mohammad Huraira, who featured in a two-match home Test series against the West Indies in early 2025.

He managed a mere 46 runs in spin-friendly conditions during the series and was subsequently dropped from the Test team without being given a long enough run to establish himself.

His first-class record, 4762 runs in 65 first-class matches at an average above 45, including a triple century, including a triple century, suggests potential that has not been fully explored at the international level.

When compared with the newly selected openers, Huraira’s exclusion becomes even harder to explain purely on performance grounds. This is where Pakistan’s selection model appears inconsistent: promising players are tried briefly, then replaced, rather than being developed through sustained exposure.

Selection direction under scrutiny

None of this is an argument against the current squad members of the Pakistan Test team. Every player selected has earned his place through domestic or international performances. The issue is structural rather than individual.

Pakistan’s Test setup seems caught in a cycle of experimentation without patience, introducing players, testing them briefly, and then moving on before they can adapt to international demands.

Test cricket, more than any other format, rewards stability and continuity. Teams that succeed in it build combinations over time, allow players to fail and learn, and invest in roles rather than constantly reshuffling them. Pakistan, at least in recent cycles, has struggled to maintain that balance.

The talent pool is not the problem. Pakistan continues to produce capable fast bowlers, spinners, and batters in domestic cricket. The real challenge lies in how that talent is managed once it reaches the international stage.

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DHAKA: Pakistan captain Shaheen Shah Afridi addressed questions over the exclusion of key players Babar Azam and Saim Ayub from the upcoming three-match ODI series against Bangladesh, set to begin tomorrow at the Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

All three ODIs, scheduled for March 11, 13, and 15, will be played at the Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium.

Speaking at a pre-series press conference on Tuesday, Afridi stressed that no one has been “dropped” and that the selections are aimed at testing bench strength and giving opportunities to emerging talent.

“Look, no one has been dropped for this series. We just wanted to give our youngsters a chance to show their skills,” Afridi explained.

“They are our future, and this series against Bangladesh is the perfect opportunity for them to understand their roles ahead of bigger events like the World Cup next year.”

The Pakistan squad for the series features six uncapped players: Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan, and Shamyl Hussain.

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Afridi confirmed that Sahibzada Farhan, Maaz Sadaqat, and Shamyl Hussain will make their ODI debuts, with Farhan and Sadaqat opening the innings and Hussain at one-down.

Addressing the expected challenges in Dhaka, Shaheen Afridi highlighted that Pakistan’s strength lies in its pace attack and downplayed the idea of relying heavily on spinners, referencing the West Indies’ spin-heavy strategy at the same venue during an ODI in October 2025.

“This will not be happening. Pakistan is known for fast bowling. I will back our pacers to take wickets, while the spinners will contribute and play their role in the win,” he said.

Afridi also acknowledged Bangladesh’s home advantage but expressed confidence in Pakistan’s preparations.

“Any team is tough in their own conditions. Bangladesh plays very good cricket at home, and we have prepared accordingly,” he added.

“Our recent ODI series against South Africa and Sri Lanka have been encouraging, and we want to continue that momentum.”

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DHAKA: The stage is set for the highly anticipated three-match ODI series between Pakistan and Bangladesh, as the trophy was officially unveiled on Tuesday.

The series, scheduled from March 11 to 15, will see all matches played at the Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka.

Pakistan skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi and Bangladesh captain Mehidy Hasan Miraz took part in the unveiling ceremony, presenting the glittering trophy to the media and fans ahead of the opening encounter.

The match officials for the series were confirmed yesterday, with Naeem-ul-Rasheed appointed as the match referee for all three ODIs.

The on-field umpires will include Kumar Dharmasena, Adrian Holdstock, Ghazi Sohail, Tanveer Ahmed, and Masoodur Rahman, ensuring experienced oversight for the series.

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Pakistan’s squad features a mix of established players and promising talents, including six uncapped players: Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan and Shamyl Hussain.

Bangladesh will counter with their own strong line-up, led by Mehidy Hasan Miraz and including Soumya Sarkar, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Rishad Hossain, Mustafizur Rahman, and Nahid Rana.

Pakistan squad: Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Hussain Talat, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha and Shamyl Hussain

Bangladesh squad: Mehidy Hasan Miraz (captain), Soumya Sarkar, Saif Hassan, Tanzid Hasan, Najmul Hossain Shanto, Towhid Hridoy, Litton Das, Afif Hossain, Mahidul Islam, Rishad Hossain, Tanvir Islam, Mustafizur Rahman, Taskin Ahmed, Shoriful Islam, Nahid Rana.

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KARACHI: Former Pakistan captain Mohammad Rizwan has defended the selection of young wicket-keeper Ghazi Ghori in the national squad for the upcoming ODI series against Bangladesh.

Rizwan shared his views during a media talk on the sidelines of Pakistan’s training camp in Karachi.

Notably, Ghazi Ghori is among six uncapped players included in Pakistan’s ODI squad for the Bangladesh tour. The other uncapped ODI players are Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat, Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan and Shamyl Hussain.

However, Ghori’s inclusion sparked debate among fans and former cricketers on social media due to his limited domestic experience.

Ghori, who featured in two matches for Islamabad United last year, has played just 17 List A matches, averaging slightly above 20 with a strike rate below 80 in the format.

Despite the scrutiny, Rizwan insisted that the youngster deserved the opportunity.

“Ghazi has come into the team on the basis of performance. Everyone is entitled to their opinion,” Rizwan said.

The senior wicket-keeper also emphasised that Pakistan should welcome the emergence of multiple wicketkeeping options, saying it could ultimately benefit the national team.

“Right now, Ghazi is in the squad, but if you look at the past, many wicketkeepers have been performing. It’s good if more keepers come through the system because Pakistan might finally find what it has been searching for,” he added.

The three-match ODI series between Pakistan and Bangladesh is scheduled to be played from March 11 to 15, with all fixtures set to take place at the Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka.

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Mohammad Rizwan also warned against underestimating Bangladesh in their home conditions.

“On paper, the series may look easy, but Bangladesh are a tough side in their own conditions. The pitches there suit them,” he said, adding that Pakistan still have players in the squad who possess experience of playing in those conditions.

When asked about the exclusion of several senior players from the squad, Rizwan said the selection committee was better placed to explain those decisions.

“If I had been part of the selection meeting, I could have told you why certain players were left out,” he remarked.

Rizwan further highlighted the importance of the captain’s role in team-building, stating that leadership input should carry weight in decision-making.

“If the selection committee or head coach does not listen to the captain, then that person should not be captain,” he said. “The captain has to lead the team on the field, so his opinion must matter.”

The wicketkeeper-batter also spoke about the pressure in modern cricket, stressing the need for greater professionalism within Pakistan cricket.

“Pressure exists at every level of cricket, whether club, domestic or international. We need awareness and professionalism because other teams are ahead of us and they handle pressure better,” he said.

Rizwan was also asked about reports claiming that the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had imposed a fine of Rs5 million on each player following the team’s disappointing campaign in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

However, he declined to comment on the matter, saying the board had not yet made any official announcement.

“Many people and sections of the media have spoken about it, but until the PCB makes an official statement, I cannot say anything about the alleged fine,” Rizwan concluded.

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has reportedly removed Naveed Akram Cheema as the national men’s team manager ahead of the upcoming three-match ODI series against Bangladesh.

According to reports, Cheema, who has previously served multiple stints as Pakistan’s team manager, will not travel with the squad for the tour.

His latest spell with the side included the ACC Men’s T20 Asia Cup 2025, which drew widespread attention after the Indian team refused to shake hands with Pakistan players following a match during the tournament.

In Cheema’s place, the PCB has appointed Irtaza Kumail as the team manager for the Bangladesh tour. Kumail, an 18th-grade police officer, joined the cricket board two years ago and has earlier served as the national side’s security manager.

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Meanwhile, Salman Liaquat is also set to travel with the team as security officer, marking his first assignment with the Pakistan men’s squad.

The PCB has further confirmed that the team’s foreign coaching staff will join the squad directly in Dhaka. Pakistan are scheduled to depart for Bangladesh on March 8.

Ahead of their departure, the national side will participate in a two-day training camp in Lahore as part of preparations for their first ODI assignment since hosting Sri Lanka for a three-match series in November last year.

Pakistan will play all three matches of the series at the Shere Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka.

Pakistan ODI squad: Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Hussain Talat, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha and Shamyl Hussain.

Series schedule

March 8 – Pakistan arrive in Dhaka

March 10 – Practice session

March 11 – First ODI, Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka

March 13 – Second ODI, Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka

March 15 – Third ODI, Shere Bangla National Stadium, Dhaka

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LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board has made a bold statement ahead of the Bangladesh tour, leaving out former captain Babar Azam from the 15-member ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series.

The series, scheduled from March 11 to 15, will see all matches played at the Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka.

Alongside Babar, young opener Saim Ayub has also been excluded following underwhelming returns in recent white-ball outings.

Saim featured in eight ODIs in 2025, accumulating 236 runs at an average of 29.50, including two half-centuries.

Babar, meanwhile, scored 544 runs in 17 ODIs this year at an average of 34.00, registering one century and three fifties.

Veteran opener Fakhar Zaman, meanwhile, has been ruled out due to a hamstring injury and is currently undergoing rehabilitation.

Left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi will continue to lead the ODI side, with six uncapped players included in the squad.

The newcomers include Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan and Shamyl Hussain.

Notably, Abdul Samad, Maaz Sadaqat, Saad Masood and Shamyl Hussain were recently part of the Pakistan Shaheens squad that faced England Lions in Abu Dhabi.

Pakistan squad for Bangladesh ODIs

Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Hussain Talat, Maaz Sadaqat, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Saad Masood, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha and Shamyl Hussain

Series schedule:

March 8 – Pakistan arrival

March 10 – Practice

March 11 – First ODI at Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka

March 13 – Second ODI at Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka

March 15 – Third ODI at Shere Bangla National Cricket Stadium, Dhaka

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