The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled a list of 14 players for the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. Babar Azam will lead the team, and all-rounder Salman Ali Agha will return to the squad after scoring a triple century in domestic cricket. Additionally, three players without international caps have been included in the national team for the first time.
It is worth noting that Salman Ali Agha was previously dropped from the team during the tour of England in August-September. He regained the selectors' trust through his impressive performance in domestic cricket. In the Presidents Trophy Grade-I tournament, he not only scored a triple century but also a century.
PCB has included Sameer Minhas, Mohammad Tahir, and Mohammad Suleman in the national team for the first time. These three demonstrated strong performances in domestic cricket. Mohammad Tahir leads the Presidents Trophy with 730 points in seven matches, featuring three centuries and the best individual score of 225 runs. Mohammad Suleman scored 652 points with three centuries, while Sameer Minhas has 405 points.
Left-arm spinner Ali Usman has also returned to the team. He achieved significant success by taking five wickets at Headingley in August. He became the first overseas player to take five wickets in an innings at this ground since 1972. Experienced fast bowler Mohammad Abbas remains in the team. During the tour of England, he jointly received the series player of the match award.
Two fast bowlers will also be added to the squad for the series against Sri Lanka, whose selection will take place after the practice match. The practice match between PCB Patrons XI and the Sri Lankan Test team will be held in Islamabad from November 4 to 6. Sad Bhag will captain the PCB Patrons XI. Many main squad players, including Mohammad Salman, Shoaib Akhtar Jr., Ali Shabbir, Shakib Khan, and Obaid Shah, are vying for the remaining two fast bowler slots.
The first Test match of the series will take place from November 9 to 13 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The second Test will be held from November 17 to 21 at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Both matches are part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27.
The Pakistan squad includes: Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Arafat Minhas, Azan Aways, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ghazi Gori (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Suleman, Mohammad Tahir, Rajulla, Sad Bhag (wicketkeeper), Salman Ali Agha, Sameer Minhas, and Saud Shakeel.
The PCB Patrons XI squad: Sad Bhag (captain/wicketkeeper), Abdullah Fazal, Ali Shabbir, Ali Usman, Azan Aways, Mohammad Salman, Mohammad Suleman, Mohammad Tayeb Arif, Mohammad Tahir, Shakib Khan, Sameer Minhas, Shoaib Akhtar Jr., and Obaid Shah.