Rawalpindi, November 7,2026: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday added four players, including three uncapped cricketers, to the national men’s Test squad for the upcoming two-match home series against Sri Lanka, beginning on Monday in Rawalpindi.
Pace-bowling all-rounder Aamir Jamal, fast bowler Ali Shabbir, batter Muhammad Tayyab Arif and pacer Saqib Khan have been included in the squad, while Ali Usman and Abdullah Fazal have been released.
According to the PCB, Tayyab, Ali and Saqib have received their maiden call-ups to the national Test side. All three also featured in the three-day practice match between the Patron’s XI and Sri Lanka, played at the Islamabad Club from November 4 to 6.
The board said the four additions were made in recognition of their impressive performances in domestic cricket, although it did not disclose the reasons for releasing Usman and Fazal.
Aamir Jamal, who has represented Pakistan in nine Tests, three ODIs and six T20 Internationals, recently delivered an outstanding performance in the final of the President’s Trophy Grade-I.
Playing for eventual champions Markhor IT Solutions, he took seven wickets for 32 runs and scored 55 with the bat to help his side secure the title.
He also captained Lahore Whites in the opening round of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Gold, taking three wickets and scoring 74 and 23 runs.
Right-handed batter Muhammad Tayyab Arif made a strong impression in the Departmental First-Class Tournament, scoring 727 runs in seven matches at an average of 66.09, including three centuries, while leading Kingsmen Academy.
The 19-year-old fast bowler Ali Shabbir has taken 22 wickets in eight first-class matches. He also claimed three wickets against Sri Lanka in the recent practice match.
Saqib Khan played a key role in Karachi Blues’ title-winning campaign in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2025-26, taking 47 wickets in nine matches at an average of 20.60. His best bowling figures in an innings were seven for 34.
Pakistan Test squad
The 16-member Pakistan squad for the Sri Lanka series is as follows:
- Babar Azam (captain), Aamir Jamal, Ali Shabbir, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Suleman, Mohammad Taha, Muhammad Tayyab Arif, Razaullah, Saad Baig (wicketkeeper), Salman Ali Agha, Sameer Minhas, Saqib Khan and Saud Shakeel.
Test series schedule
- First Test: November 9–13, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi.
- Second Test: November 17–21, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
