Agha Returns as Pakistan Name Squad for Sri Lanka Tests
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday unveiled an initial 14-member squad for the men’s team’s two-match home Test series against Sri Lanka, scheduled to be played from November 9 to 21. The Pakistan Sri Lanka Test squad marks the return of all-rounder Salman Ali Agha, who was among the seven players left out of the team midway during the away series against England in August-September.
Agha earned his place back on the back of strong performances in domestic cricket, scoring a triple century and a century for Kingsmen Academy during the ongoing President’s Trophy Grade-I 2026/27. His domestic form is part of the same tournament covered in our report on the Presidents Trophy final moving to Lahore Gymkhana.
Three uncapped players called up
Besides Agha, left-arm spinner Ali Usman has also been recalled. Usman became the first overseas player since 1972 to register a five-wicket haul at Headingley in August, and was ousted from the squad for the third Test against England.
The squad, led by star batter Babar Azam, also features three uncapped players, Sameer Minhas, Mohammad Taha and Mohammad Suleman, who earned their maiden call-ups after impressive domestic stints.
Taha, 26, is currently the leading run-scorer of the President’s Trophy Grade-I with 730 runs across seven matches, with the help of three centuries and a best of 225. Suleman is fifth on the list with 652 runs, including three centuries. Sameer has piled up 405 runs in seven matches.
Experienced seamer Mohammad Abbas, who was adjudged the joint player of the series in Pakistan’s most recent red-ball assignment, was retained for the Sri Lanka Tests. He will continue to lead the pace attack, which will be further bolstered by two fast bowlers following the three-day warm-up fixture between PCB Patron’s XI and Sri Lanka’s Test squad.
Warm-up fixture to decide final pacers
The warm-up fixture, to be played from November 4 to 6 in Islamabad, will see wicketkeeper batter Saad Baig leading the PCB Patron’s XI. The side further includes Abdullah Fazal, Usman, Azan Awais, Suleman, Taha and Sameer from the main squad.
Mohammad Salman, Shoaib Akhtar Jnr, Ali Shabbir, Saqib Khan and Ubaid Shah will form the PCB Patron’s XI pace attack and will vie for the remaining two designated spots for fast bowlers in the Pakistan squad for the Sri Lanka Tests.
The two-match series forms part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27. It will get underway with the opening fixture at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from November 9 to 13. The second Test will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore from November 17 to 21.
Pakistan Sri Lanka Test squad in full
Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Suleman, Mohammad Taha, Razaullah, Saad Baig (wicketkeeper), Salman Ali Agha, Sameer Minhas and Saud Shakeel.
Test series schedule
November 9-13: First Test, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi. November 17-21: Second Test, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
The squad announcement comes as Pakistan’s white-ball and red-ball calendars overlap. Board chairman Mohsin Naqvi recently met the Pakistan players at Gaddafi Stadium as the tri-series shifted to Lahore, while in women’s cricket, India women beat Zimbabwe in the first ODI and Ishan Kishan was ruled out of the second New Zealand T20I.
Frequently asked questions
When will Pakistan play Sri Lanka in the Test series?
The first Test runs from November 9 to 13 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, and the second from November 17 to 21 at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
Who are the uncapped players in the squad?
Sameer Minhas, Mohammad Taha and Mohammad Suleman, who earned maiden call-ups after strong President’s Trophy Grade-I seasons.
How will the final two fast bowlers be picked?
They will be chosen from the PCB Patron’s XI pace attack after the three-day warm-up fixture against Sri Lanka’s Test squad in Islamabad from November 4 to 6.
Why is Agha back in the squad?
He scored a triple century and a century for Kingsmen Academy in the President’s Trophy Grade-I after being dropped midway through the England away series.
Source: Geo Super.
