Pakistan Announce 14-Member Squad for Sri Lanka Test Series
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced an initial 14-member squad for the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka, which will be played on home soil from November 9 to 21 as part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27.
Babar Azam will captain the side, with Salman Ali Agha and left-arm spinner Ali Usman returning to the Test setup after being dropped during Pakistan’s recent overseas assignment against England.
Salman has earned his recall following an outstanding run in domestic cricket. The all-rounder has produced remarkable performances in the ongoing President’s Trophy Grade-I 2026/27, including a triple century and a hundred for Kingsmen Academy.
Ali Usman has also been rewarded for his impressive form, having made headlines in August by becoming the first overseas player since 1972 to claim a five-wicket haul at Headingley.
Three Players Receive Maiden Test Call-Ups
The squad includes three uncapped players — Sameer Minhas, Mohammad Taha and Mohammad Suleman — who have impressed with their performances in domestic cricket.
Taha currently tops the President’s Trophy Grade-I batting charts with 730 runs in seven matches, including three centuries and a highest score of 225. Suleman has accumulated 652 runs, with three hundreds, while Sameer has contributed 405 runs during the competition.
Veteran fast bowler Mohammad Abbas has retained his place after sharing the Player of the Series award in Pakistan’s previous red-ball assignment. He is expected to spearhead the pace attack, with two additional fast-bowling positions to be decided following a warm-up fixture against Sri Lanka.
Patron’s XI to Face Sri Lanka Before Tests
A three-day practice match between PCB Patron’s XI and Sri Lanka’s Test squad will take place in Islamabad from November 4 to 6.
Wicketkeeper-batter Saad Baig will lead the Patron’s XI, which also features Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Mohammad Suleman, Mohammad Taha and Sameer Minhas from Pakistan’s initial Test squad.
The pace-bowling group comprises Mohammad Salman, Shoaib Akhtar Jnr, Ali Shabbir, Saqib Khan and Ubaid Shah. These five bowlers will compete for the two remaining fast-bowling places in Pakistan’s final squad.
🇵🇰 Pakistan’s Initial Test Squad
Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Mohammad Suleman, Mohammad Taha, Razaullah, Saad Baig (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Sameer Minhas and Saud Shakeel.
🏏 PCB Patron’s XI
Saad Baig (c & wk), Abdullah Fazal, Ali Shabbir, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Mohammad Salman, Mohammad Suleman, Mohammad Tayyab Arif, Mohammad Taha, Saqib Khan, Sameer Minhas, Shoaib Akhtar Jnr and Ubaid Shah.
📅 Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Test Series Schedule
🔹 First Test: November 9–13 — Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
🔹 Second Test: November 17–21 — Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
The series will provide Pakistan with another important opportunity to strengthen their position in the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27.
