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Pakistan Announces Updated Test Squad for Sri Lanka Series: Babar Azam Leads, New Faces Earn Call-Ups

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Pakistan Announces Updated Test Squad for Sri Lanka Series
Pakistan Announces Updated Test Squad for Sri Lanka Series Graphic: SpoRush

As the highly anticipated World Test Championship (WTC) series against Sri Lanka approaches, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced an updated 16-member Test squad. Led by the ever-reliable Babar Azam, the revamped lineup features a fascinating mix of seasoned campaigners and exciting young talent plucked straight from the domestic circuit.

The first Test of the two-match series is set to kick off on Monday, November 9, at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, and fans are eager to see how these new faces will perform on the international stage.

Key Additions: Fresh Blood and Returning Stars

The highlight of the updated squad is undoubtedly the injection of fresh, in-form talent. The selection committee has clearly rewarded exceptional domestic performances.

  • The Return of Aamer Jamal: The pace-bowling all-rounder makes a much-deserved return to the Test setup. Jamal, who already has nine Tests under his belt, has been in scintillating form recently. He was the standout performer in the President's Trophy Grade-I final, where he grabbed remarkable figures of 7/32 and contributed a crucial 55 runs with the bat.

  • Maiden Call-up for Tayyab Arif: Muhammad Tayyab Arif has earned his first national call-up following a dream first-class season. He amassed 727 runs in just seven matches at a staggering average of 66.09, which included three brilliant centuries.

  • Young Bowlers Rewarded: Nineteen-year-old Ali Shabbir, who claimed 22 wickets in eight first-class games, and Saqib Khan, who took 47 wickets at an average of 20.60 in the 2025-26 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, have both been drafted into the squad to bolster the bowling attack.

Notable Omissions and Releases

To make room for the new additions, the management had to make some tough calls. Spinner Ali Usman and Abdullah Fazal, who were part of the initial squad, have been released.

Furthermore, veteran wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has once again been omitted from the Test setup, while opener Imam-ul-Haq remains sidelined after sustaining a calf strain earlier in the year. The wicketkeeping duties will instead fall to the promising Ghazi Ghori and Saad Baig.

The Official 16-Member Pakistan Test Squad

Here is the complete, official squad that will take on Sri Lanka:

  • Babar Azam (Captain)

  • Saud Shakeel (Vice-Captain)

  • Salman Ali Agha

  • Mohammad Abbas

  • Aamer Jamal

  • Muhammad Tayyab Arif

  • Azan Awais

  • Saad Baig (wk)

  • Mohammad Ghazi Ghori (wk)

  • Saqib Khan

  • Arafat Minhas

  • Sameer Minhas

  • Razaullah

  • Ali Shabbir

  • Mohammad Suleman

  • Mohammad Taha

What to Expect?

This squad reshuffle sends a clear message: the PCB is looking toward the future. By trusting young, domestic performers like Tayyab Arif and Saqib Khan, Pakistan is aiming to build a fearless squad capable of dominating in home conditions. With Babar Azam steering the ship and Aamer Jamal returning with a point to prove, the Sri Lanka series promises to be an absolute blockbuster.

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