Three uncapped players earn maiden Test call-ups as Pakistan announce squad for the series against Sri Lanka

Sameer Minhas, Mohammad Taha and Mohammad Suleman included in 14-member squad for Sri Lanka Tests; Babar Azam to continue as captain

Pakistan have announced an initial 14-member squad for the upcoming two-match ICC World Test Championship series against Sri Lanka, with uncapped batters Sameer Minhas, Mohammad Taha and Mohammad Suleman earning maiden Test call-ups, while former captain Shan Masood has been dropped.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the squad on Saturday for the series, which will be played in Rawalpindi and Lahore from November 9 to 21. Babar Azam will continue to lead the Test side.

The three newcomers have earned selection following impressive performances in first-class cricket. Left-handed batter Mohammad Taha has been the standout performer in the ongoing President’s Trophy Grade-I tournament, scoring 730 runs in seven matches, including three centuries and a highest score of 225.

Mohammad Suleman has also impressed with the bat, accumulating 652 runs in seven matches, including three centuries, to rank fifth on the tournament’s batting charts.

Meanwhile, Sameer Minhas has scored 405 runs in seven matches during his maiden first-class season after an encouraging stint with Pakistan’s Under-19 side.

The squad also features several players who have retained their places, including Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, wicketkeepers Mohammad Ghazi Ghori and Saad Baig, Razaullah and Saud Shakeel. Left-arm spinner Ali Usman and batter Salman Ali Agha have also been included.

The selectors will add two fast bowlers to the Test squad from the PCB Patron’s XI after the conclusion of a three-day warm-up match against Sri Lanka, scheduled for November 4 to 6 at Islamabad Club.

Wicketkeeper-batter Saad Baig will captain the 13-member PCB Patron’s XI in the warm-up fixture. The side includes six players from Pakistan’s Test squad: Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Mohammad Suleman, Mohammad Taha and Sameer Minhas.

The pace options in the Patron’s XI include Mohammad Salman, Shoaib Akhtar Jnr, Ali Shabbir, Saqib Khan and Ubaid Shah, while Mohammad Tayyab Arif completes the squad.

The first Test will be played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from November 9 to 13, followed by the second Test at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium from November 17 to 21.

The series will provide Pakistan an opportunity to strengthen their campaign in the World Test Championship, while the three uncapped selections will have the chance to make their mark at the highest level of the game.