The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced the inclusion of four players, including three uncapped prospects, in Pakistan's Test squad for the upcoming two-match series against Sri Lanka. Pace-bowling all-rounder Aamir Jamal, rookie pacer Ali Shabbir, batter Muhammad Tayyab Arif and pace bowler Saqib Khan have been added to the team following a statement released in Lahore on Saturday.
Tayyab, Ali and Saqib have received maiden Test call-ups after featuring in the Patron's XI versus Sri Lanka practice match at the Islamabad Club from November 4 to 6. Meanwhile, Ali Usman and Abdullah Fazal have been released from the original Test squad ahead of the opening fixture.
Aamir returns to the Test setup having previously played nine Tests, three ODIs and six T20Is for Pakistan. He recently claimed the player of the final award in the President's Trophy Grade-I, recording bowling figures of seven for 32 alongside a 55-run innings for Markhor IT Solutions, and previously captained Lahore Whites in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Gold.
Tayyab earned his selection after scoring 727 runs across seven matches at an average of 66.09, striking three centuries in his debut season while leading Kingsmen Academy in the departmental first-class tournament. Nineteen-year-old fast bowler Ali has accumulated 22 wickets from eight first-class appearances, adding three wickets during the practice fixture against Sri Lanka.
Saqib played a central role in Karachi Blues' title-winning campaign in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2025-26, finishing with 47 wickets from nine matches at an average of 20.60, which included a best performance of seven wickets for 34 runs.
The 16-member Pakistan Test squad is captained by Babar Azam and includes Aamir, Ali, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, wicketkeeper Mohammad Ghazi Ghori, Mohammad Suleman, Mohammad Taha, Tayyab, Razaullah, wicketkeeper Saad Baig, Salman Ali Agha, Sameer Minhas, Saqib and Saud Shakeel.
The first Test match of the two-match series is scheduled to begin on Monday, November 9, at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Join the conversation