Pakistan Test Squad for Bangladesh Announced, Naseem Shah Axed

Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah in frame. PC - AFP/X

In a developing update, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced its squad for the Test tour of Bangladesh, starting from May 8 in Dhaka. Under Shan Masood's leadership, the Men in Green will feature in two Test matches as part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27.

The Pakistan board has announced a strong 16-member squad, comprising a brawny core of Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Salman Ali Agha and Hasan Ali.

Meanwhile, they have named four uncapped players for the two-match Test series vs Bangladesh - Abdullah Fazal, Amad Butt, Azan Awais and Muhammad Ghazi Ghori.

Meanwhile, three of Pakistan's key members and two debutants- Imam-ul-Haq, Noman Ali, Sajid Khan, Azan Awais, and Muhammad Ghazi Ghori- who are not featuring in the PSL 2026, are taking part in the ongoing NCA Red-Ball Camp hosted by PCB in Lahore.

Also Read: Former Mumbai Indians Player Joins SRH IPL 2026 Squad As Injury Replacement

Naseem Shah goes missing as PCB names Test squad

One notable omission is the Pakistan Test squad is Naseem Shah, who sustained a serious side strain/intercostal injury during the ongoing PSL 2026, just after his over Maryam Nawaz tweet row.

The 23-year-old, who is one of the most effective seamers in Pakistan, hasn't been a part of the Test scheme of things, having last played the format in December 2024 against South Africa at Centurion.

Shah is expected to regain his fitness in the business part of the PSL 2026, though Shaheen Shah Afridi, Amad Butt and Hasan Ali are preferred over him. Interestingly, PCB has recalled the 36-year-old Mohammad Abbas after his impressive run in County Cricket and Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, where he picked 38 wickets in seven games.

Babar Azam to regain his No.4 spot

It has been learnt that the selectors will restore trust in Babar Azam after getting dropped from the ODI squad recently, following Pakistan’s poor show in the 2026 T20 World Cup.

The stylish batter is likely to bat at number four, where he has hit 2617 runs in 35 Tests at an average of 50.32, slamming seven out of his nine centuries at the given position.

Although the former Pakistan captain played at four in Pakistan's previous Test assignment, he has been getting shuffled across the batting order in the last two years, during the time his personal form has been a mixed bag.

Currently, Babar is having a stupemdous form in the ongoing PSL 2026. Leading the high-flying Peshawar Zalmi, the 31-year-old has scored 301 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 132.60.

Sarfaraz Ahmed appointed as head coach

The Pakistan board on Saturday announced former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed as the new red-ball coach, succeeding Aaqib Javed, from the Bangladesh tour onwards.

Ahmed, who retired quite recently, led the Men in Green to their famous 2017 Champions Trophy triumph over India and served as Pakistan U19's mentor in the recently concluded tournaments.

Meanwhile, former Test cricketers Asad Shafiq and Umar Gul have been appointed as batting and bowling coaches, respectively, on the tour.

Pakistan Test squad for Bangladesh- Shan Masood (c), 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, Shaheen Shah Afridi.