Pakistan Announce Test Squad for Sri Lanka Series; Salman Ali Agha Returns (Source: AFP)
In a major development, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a 14-member Test squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka.
The series will begin with a three-day warm-up match at Islamabad Club from November 4 to 6. The first Test will be played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from November 9 to 13, while the second Test is scheduled for Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore from November 17 to 21.
Babar Azam To Lead; Salman Ali Agha Returns For Pakistan vs SL
Babar Azam will lead Pakistan in the Test series, while all-rounder Salman Ali Agha has returned to the squad after missing the last Test in England.
Salman Ali Agha is playing in the ODI Tri-Series in Pakistan. The stylish batter has been in good form, scoring 123 runs in 2 innings at a strike rate of 112.84 and an average of 61.50. In the 1st ODI against Sri Lanka, the 32-year-old player scored 107 runs off 90 balls at a strike rate of 118.89.
Several players, including Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Razaullah, Saad Baig and Saud Shakeel, have retained their places.
Wicketkeepers Mohammad Ghazi Ghori and Saad Baig are also included in the squad. Left-arm spinner Ali Usman has been selected for the series as Pakistan prepare to face Sri Lanka.
It is worth noting that three batters have earned their first call-ups to Pakistan’s Test squad. Left-handed batter Mohammad Taha and right-handed batters Sameer Minhas and Mohammad Suleman have been included for the first time.
Mohammed Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq and Shan Masood have been dropped from Pakistan's squad for the Sri Lanka Test series.
Pakistan's Test Squad vs SL
Babar Azam (captain), 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
Patron's XI Squad For Three-Day Warm-Up vs Sri Lanka
The PCB has also announced a 13-member Patron’s XI squad for the three-day warm-up match against Sri Lanka at Islamabad Club, with Saad Baig named as the captain.
It is important to note that the selectors will add two fast bowlers from the Patron’s XI squad to the Test squad after the warm-up match concludes on November 5.
Saad Baig (captain, wk), Abdullah Fazal, Ali Shabbir, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Mohammad Salman, Mohammad Suleman, Mohammad Tayyab Arif, Mohammad Taha, Saqib Khan, Sameer Minhas, Shoaib Akhtar Jnr, Ubaid Shah
.jpg?type=mq "Tilak Varma credits Gautam Gambhir for win")
