![Mohammad Taha in the left and Mohammad Suleman in the right [Source: Instagram]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1792847469863_TahaandSuleman.jpg?type=hq)
Mohammad Taha in the left and Mohammad Suleman in the right [Source: Instagram]
Pakistan cricket team have announced the squad for the Sri Lanka Test series, led by red-ball captain Babar Azam. However, a trio of surprises have also come up in the team that features Ali Usman, Arafat Minhas, among others.
Notably, Sameer Minhas, Mohammad Taha and Mohammad Suleman have received their maiden Test call-ups in the squad. While Sameer has been a sensational acknowledgement by the national team, the other two batters are completely fresh faces from the domestic circuit of Pakistan.
Who is Mohammad Taha?
The 26-year-old all-rounder, primarily a batter, Taha has been the leading run-scorer in the President’s Trophy Grade-I first-class tournament, which began in September. He bagged 730 runs across seven matches with three centuries and a best of 225.
Notably, speaking of his red-ball credentials, Taha has played 29 first-class matches in Pakistan while bagging 1,950 runs at an average of 39.00. He also has six centuries and five half-centuries in the same format.
He also has 471 runs in List A cricket from 22 matches, and with the ball in red-ball cricket, he has picked up six wickets from the 20 innings he has bowled in.
Who is Mohammad Suleman?
The 27-year-old Mohammad Suleman, born in Hyderabad, Pakistan, is primarily a middle-order batter who has represented the Hyderabad Region cricket team while also playing for the Mirpur Khas Cricket Association.
Suleman has featured in 35 first-class matches, scoring 2,227 runs with a high score of 182. He averages 37.11 in the format, with eight centuries and seven half-centuries to his name.
He has bowled sparingly in the format, but from the 156 deliveries he bowled, he managed to scalp three wickets in first-class cricket.
In the President's Trophy Grade 1 first-class tournament this year, Suleman has been sitting at number five on the batting charts, having scored 652 runs with the help of three centuries.
How likely is it for Suleman and Taha to feature in the Playing XI of Pakistan?
The Pakistan squad for the Sri Lanka Test series 2026 features multiple established names and veterans who can take places in the top and middle order with the bat.
With already established cricketers in the squad, one might think that it is unlikely for the youngsters to get a chance in the playing eleven. However, on the contrary, in recent times, it has been seen that the Pakistan Cricket Board has given chances to fresh faces from domestic cricket to showcase their talent on the international stage.
Hence, it is very much likely that, out of the two-Test series starting from November 9, Pakistan might allow Mohammad Taha and Mohammad Suleman in the Playing XI in either of these two games.
