Pakistan Announces Squad for Test Series Against Sri Lanka, Welcomes New Talents

Lahore, October 24 (Daily Kiran) : Pakistan’s cricket team has announced a 14-member squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, set to take place in November. The team, led by captain Babar Azam, includes newcomers Mohammad Taha, Mohammad Suleman, and Sameer Minhas, who have been rewarded for their impressive performances in domestic cricket.

The first Test is scheduled from November 9 to 13 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, followed by the second Test at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore from November 17 to 21. Currently, Pakistan sits at the bottom of the World Test Championship standings with a percentage of 4.63, while Sri Lanka ranks seventh with a percentage of 33.33.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that two additional fast bowlers will be added to the main squad after a three-day warm-up match against PCB Patrons XI, which will take place from November 4 to 6 at Islamabad Club.

All three new players have made a mark in the ongoing President’s Trophy Grade-One first-class tournament. The 26-year-old left-handed batsman Taha is the leading run-scorer, amassing 730 runs in seven matches, including three centuries and a top score of 225. Right-handed batsman Suleman ranks fifth in the same tournament with 652 runs and has also scored three centuries. Sameer, another right-handed batsman, has made 405 runs in his debut first-class season, showcasing his talent previously with the Pakistan Under-19 team.

Retained players include Abdullah Fazzal, Arafat Minhas, Ajan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Razaullah, and Saud Shakeel. Wicketkeepers Mohammad Ghazi Gori and Saad Beg, along with left-arm spinner Ali Usman and batsman Salman Ali Agha, are also part of the squad.

In the warm-up match, Saad will captain PCB Patrons XI, which will feature the three new batsmen alongside Test team members Abdullah, Ali Usman, and Ajan. The Patrons XI’s fast bowling lineup includes Mohammad Salman, Shoaib Akhtar Junior, Ali Shabbir, Saqib Khan, and Ubaid Shah, with batsman Mohammad Tayyab Arif also included.

The final squad for Pakistan’s Test team is as follows: Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Fazzal, Ali Usman, Arafat Minhas, Ajan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ghazi Gori (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Suleman, Mohammad Taha, Razaullah, Saad Beg (wicketkeeper), Salman Ali Agha, Sameer Minhas, and Saud Shakeel.

The PCB Patrons XI consists of: Saad Beg (captain, wicketkeeper), Abdullah Fazzal, Ali Shabbir, Ali Usman, Ajan Awais, Mohammad Salman, Mohammad Suleman, Mohammad Tayyab Arif, Mohammad Taha, Saqib Khan, Sameer Minhas, Shoaib Akhtar Junior, and Ubaid Shah.