Pakistan leave out Masood, Sajid and Noman for home Tests against SL

Pakistan have omitted Shan Masood, their Test captain for most of the past three years, for the upcoming home Test series against Sri Lanka. Masood, 37, is struggling to regain fitness after picking up a niggle during the President’s Trophy and also faced an unproductive tour of England that saw major changes mid‑series. The Pakistan Cricket Board’s press release did not state the reason for Masood’s absence and did not immediately respond to Cricinfo’s request for clarification.

The aftershocks of that selectorial shake‑up have extended into Pakistan’s home season. Mohammad Rizwan and Imam‑ul‑Haq, who were hauled back and faced NCCIA investigations in Pakistan, also have no place in the Test squad. Abdullah Shafique, whose brief favour with Pakistan’s selectors came after a 184‑not‑out performance in a victory over the West Indies, has likewise been sidelined after a difficult spell in England; despite scoring 185 in a first‑class game a week earlier, that result was insufficient to save his spot.

Salman Agha, taken out of the tour, returns to the Test side after scoring a triple‑century on his return to the domestic circuit in Pakistan. Ali Usman is also a returnee after impressing during his England stint. The side now includes all‑rounder Arafat Minhas, whose form has improved thanks to the ongoing ODI campaign, while his younger brother Sameer Minhas also makes the side as a top‑order batter. Mohammad Taha, the President’s Trophy leading run‑scorer, is also in the squad, and middle‑order batter Mohammad Suleman joins the lineup. Pakistan has named a total of 14 players, with two pace bowlers added. For now, the only seam bowlers are Mohammad Abbas and Razaullah, whose all‑round heroics in the third Test have been a boon for an otherwise bleak tour. A final decision on the remaining seam bowlers will be made after a three‑day pre‑trial match against Sri Lanka.

Sajid, Noman left out too

Most notably, this series marks the first time since Pakistan’s shift to spinning pitches that neither Sajid Khan nor Noman Ali features in a home Test squad. Sajid played in England but did not appear in any Test, and the pair have traditionally been key on Pakistani home surfaces suited to their skills. Usman is now accompanied by all‑rounder Arafat Minhas, whose form has risen thanks to the ongoing ODI campaign, while his brother Sameer Minhas also makes the side as a top‑order batter. Mohammad Taha, the President’s Trophy leading run‑scorer, has also been called up, as has middle‑order batter Mohammad Suleman. Pakistan have named 14 players, with two pace bowlers to be added. For now the only seam bowlers are Mohammad Abbas and Razaullah, whose contributions in the third Test have delighted the crowd despite the overall challenges.

Pakistan squad (14 players) for Sri Lanka Tests

Babar Azam (capt), 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, Saud Shakeel.

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