Pakistan name 14-man Test squad for Sri Lanka series
The Pakistan Cricket Board has named an initial 14-member squad for the two-match World Test Championship series against Sri Lanka, with former Test captain Shan Masood among those left out. Babar Azam keeps the Test captaincy.
The squad was announced on 24 October 2026. Three uncapped batters, Sameer Minhas, Mohammad Taha and Mohammad Suleman, have received maiden Test call-ups after impressing in the Pakistan first-class season, according to the ICC.
The details
Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, the wicketkeepers Ghazi Ghori and Saad Baig, Razaullah and Saud Shakeel retain their places, the PCB said. Dawn reports that selectors turned to youth and domestic performers, with Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique and Mohammad Rizwan also among the notable omissions.
The Daily Star reports that Salman Agha is back in the Test squad. Left-arm spinner Ali Usman has been recalled after being sent home from the England tour before the final Test.
The PCB has also named a 13-member Patron’s squad for a three-day warm-up against Sri Lanka at the Islamabad Club from 4 to 6 November. Two pacers from that side will join the Test squad after the warm-up.
Schedule and standings
The first Test is at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from 9 to 13 November, starting at 10:30 AM IST on 9 November. The second is at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore from 17 to 21 November.
The series belongs to the WTC 2025-27 cycle. The ICC notes that Pakistan are at the bottom of the standings and Sri Lanka are seventh.
Recent form
Pakistan lost all three Tests in England in August and September 2026. Their most recent result is an 87-run ODI win over England on 20 October in the Pakistan ODI Tri-Series. They face England again on 25 October and Sri Lanka on 27 October at 2:00 PM IST.
Sri Lanka beat England by 2 wickets on 22 October in the same tri-series, chasing 430/8 in 49.5 overs after England made 429/4. Their last Tests were against India in August, a 165-run defeat followed by a draw.
