Pakistan has named a 19-player squad for the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka, adding four new faces—including three uncapped players—ahead of the matches starting next week.
Promising pace bowlers Ali Shabbir, 19, and Saqib Khan, 31, are set to make their Test debuts, alongside experienced all-rounder Aamer Jamal.
The first Test, to be played on a green pitch in Rawalpindi, is scheduled for Monday.
Tayyab Arif, 20, has been included in the squad after finishing as the leading run-scorer with 727 runs in the recently concluded domestic tournament, according to a Pakistan Cricket Board release.
Batter Abdullah Fazal and spinner Ali Usman have been dropped from the squad.
Aamer Jamal, who has featured in nine Tests, returns to the side after being sent home following Pakistan’s 3-0 series loss in England in August.
Following Pakistan’s 3-0 series defeat in England, the selection panel has reshuffled the Test squad.
The two-match series forms part of the World Test Championship, where Pakistan currently sit ninth and last in the standings, while Sri Lanka are ranked seventh.
The second Test is set to begin in Lahore on November 17.
Squad: Babar Azam (captain), Aamer Jamal, Ali Shabbir, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Ghazi Ghori, Mohammad Suleman, Mohammad Taha, Tayyab Arif, Razaullah, Saad Baig, Salman Agha, Sameer Minhas, Saqib Khan, Saud Shakeel
