Pakistan have shaken up their Test squad two days before the Sri Lanka series, recalling pace-bowling all-rounder Aamir Jamal and handing maiden call-ups to three uncapped players. The Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed the changes on Saturday, lifting the squad from 14 to 16 players ahead of the first Test in Rawalpindi on Monday, November 9.
Four In, Two Out
Four fresh faces join the group. Jamal returns alongside batter Mohammad Tayyab Arif and fast bowlers Ali Shabbir and Saqib Khan. Spin bowler Ali Usman and batter Abdullah Fazal drop out of the original 14-member squad, making room for the new arrivals.
All three debutants pressed their claims in the three-day practice match for PCB Patron’s XI against Sri Lanka at Islamabad Club from November 4 to 6. Jamal, meanwhile, made his Test return in the West Indies in July after more than a year away from the format. He was also among seven players sent home midway through the England tour in August.
Jamal Returns on Domestic Form
Jamal brings experience across formats, with nine Tests, three ODIs and six T20Is behind him. Recent domestic form earned him another chance at the highest level.
He starred in the President’s Trophy Grade-I final, taking seven for 32 and scoring 55 as Markhor IT Solutions lifted the title. In the opening round of the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy Gold, he took three wickets and scored 74 and 23 while captaining Lahore Whites.
Three New Faces Earn Maiden Call-Ups
Tayyab, 19, comes from Sialkot and arrives on the back of a prolific maiden season for Kingsmen Academy in the departmental tournament. He scored 727 runs in seven matches at an average of 66.09, including three centuries.
Ali Shabbir, also 19, has taken 22 wickets in eight first-class matches. He claimed three wickets in the practice game against Sri Lanka, and bowling coach Shaun Tait was impressed by the young fast bowler’s pace and rhythm.
Saqib Khan took 47 wickets in nine matches at an average of 20.60, with best figures of seven for 34, during Karachi Blues’ Quaid-i-Azam Trophy 2025-26 title-winning campaign.
The additions underline the team management’s emphasis on rewarding domestic performances. The original squad already contained relatively inexperienced players such as Mohammad Taha, Sameer Minhas, Mohammad Suleman and all-rounder Razaullah. Razaullah made an impression on his Test debut against England at Edgbaston earlier this year, taking four wickets before scoring a rapid 81 that included nine sixes.
Abbas Leads Pace Attack
Experienced fast bowler Mohammad Abbas, 36, will lead the pace attack. He has taken more than 110 Test wickets at an average in the low 20s and is keen to register a maiden five-wicket haul on home soil.
His career-best figures are six for 54, with a match haul of 10 for 95 against Australia in the UAE in 2018. He also claimed five for 57 at Lord’s earlier this year.
“I thank Allah that I am in form and will try to continue it. I owe a big performance — a five-wicket haul — in Pakistan, so I will try to get my name on the board here as well,”
Mohammad Abbas
“This team has quite a few youngsters. The cricket board and management have decided that youngsters should be given a chance. It is a big opportunity for them to show their skills and secure their place for the future. This is a good sign,”
Mohammad Abbas
Abbas also welcomed the young players into the squad and cautioned against taking Sri Lanka lightly.
Revised 16-Man Squad
| Player |
|---|
| Babar Azam (captain) |
| Aamir Jamal |
| Ali Shabbir |
| Arafat Minhas |
| Azan Awais |
| Mohammad Abbas |
| Mohammad Ghazi Ghori (wicket-keeper) |
| Mohammad Suleman |
| Mohammad Taha |
| Mohammad Tayyab Arif |
| Razaullah |
| Saad Baig (wicket-keeper) |
| Salman Ali Agha |
| Sameer Minhas |
| Saqib Khan |
| Saud Shakeel |
Series Schedule and WTC Stakes
| Match | Dates | Venue |
|---|---|---|
| First Test | November 9-13 | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium |
| Second Test | November 17-21 | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
Both matches form part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle. Pakistan currently occupy the bottom position in the standings, while Sri Lanka sit seventh.
Pakistan have won 23 of their 59 previous Tests against Sri Lanka, losing 17, with 19 drawn. They won the last home series between the sides 1-0 in 2019-20.
Sri Lanka, led by Kusal Mendis, have named a 15-member squad featuring Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva and Prabath Jayasuriya. Pathum Nissanka is also in contention.
FAQs
When does Pakistan vs Sri Lanka first Test start?
Monday, November 9, 2026, at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Who are the three debutants in Pakistan squad?
Mohammad Tayyab Arif, Ali Shabbir and Saqib Khan, all earning maiden Test call-ups.
Who was released from Pakistan Test squad?
Ali Usman and Abdullah Fazal were released from the original 14-member squad.
Who captains Pakistan in Sri Lanka Tests?
Babar Azam leads the 16-man squad.
