ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has appointed former captain Sarfaraz Ahmed as head coach of the national men’s Test team ahead of next month’s two-match series against Bangladesh.
Since Australian Jason Gillespie quit as Pakistan’s red-ball coach in December, Aaqib Javed and Azhar Mahmood temporarily guided the team led by Shan Masood, who will continue as captain in Bangladesh.
Sarfaraz led Pakistan to victory in the ICC U19 World Cup 2006 and the ICC Champions Trophy 2017, and recently guided Pakistan’s U19 side to the ACC Men’s U19 Asia Cup title as mentor/manager. He also served as mentor/manager of Pakistan Shaheens during their series against England Lions earlier this year.
Also, the Bangladesh Cricket Board has confirmed that the series will be played in Dhaka and Sylhet. The first Test will take place from May 8 to 12 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Mirpur, Dhaka, while the second Test is scheduled from May 16 to 20 in Sylhet.
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
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)
Aslo read:CDF Munir concludes Iran visit, holds high-level talks on regional peace and stability
