Pakistan Make Four Changes to Test Squad Ahead of Sri Lanka Series
LAHORE: Pakistan have made four additions to their squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, with the opening fixture set to begin on Monday in Rawalpindi.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has included fast-bowling all-rounder Aamir Jamal, pacers Ali Shabbir and Saqib Khan, and right-handed batter Muhammad Tayyab Arif. Meanwhile, Abdullah Fazal and Ali Usman have been released from the squad.
The four newly selected players were part of the PCB Patrons XI squad that recently featured in a three-day warm-up match against Sri Lanka. Their inclusion follows the board’s earlier decision to strengthen the original 14-member squad after the practice fixture.
Among the new additions, Ali Shabbir, Saqib Khan and Tayyab Arif are yet to make their international debuts. Aamir Jamal, on the other hand, brings international experience, having represented Pakistan in nine Tests, three ODIs and six T20Is.
Jamal earned his selection following a series of impressive performances in domestic cricket. He was named Player of the Final in the President’s Trophy Grade-I, where his outstanding figures of 7/32 and a valuable 55-run contribution helped Markhor IT Solutions secure the title.
He also captained Lahore Whites in the opening round of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Gold competition, claiming three wickets while contributing 74 and 23 runs with the bat.
Tayyab Arif has enjoyed an outstanding first-class season, accumulating 727 runs in seven matches for Kingsmen Academy in the departmental tournament. He averaged 66.09 and registered three centuries.
Meanwhile, 19-year-old fast bowler Ali Shabbir has collected 22 wickets in eight first-class appearances and also impressed against Sri Lanka during the recent practice match with three wickets.
Saqib Khan’s selection comes on the back of his remarkable contribution to Karachi Blues’ Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2025-26 title-winning campaign. He finished with 47 wickets in nine matches at an average of 20.60, including a best bowling performance of 7/34.
The PCB has not provided specific reasons for the release of Abdullah Fazal and Ali Usman.
Updated Pakistan Squad for Sri Lanka Test Series
Babar Azam (c), Aamir Jamal, Ali Shabbir, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Mohammad Suleman, Mohammad Taha, Muhammad Tayyab Arif, Razaullah, Saad Baig (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Sameer Minhas, Saqib Khan and Saud Shakeel.
