Babar Azam to lead Pakistan against Sri Lanka as three batters earn maiden Test call-ups
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday announced an initial 14-member Test squad for the two-match ICC World Test Championship series against Sri Lanka, retaining Babar Azam as captain and handing maiden Test call-ups to three batters.
Mohammad Taha, Mohammad Suleman and Sameer Minhas have earned their first call-ups following impressive performances in domestic cricket.
The series will begin at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on November 9, with the second Test scheduled at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium from November 17 to 21.
The squad includes Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Razaullah, Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha and left-arm spinner Ali Usman. Wicketkeepers Mohammad Ghazi Ghori and Saad Baig have also been included.
Former Test captain Shan Masood has been left out, along with Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafique and Mohammad Rizwan. Fast bowlers Aamer Jamal, Khurram Shahzad and Mohammad Ali, as well as spinner Sajid Khan, are also absent from the initial squad.
Domestic performers earn Test call-ups
Taha, a 26-year-old left-handed batter, is the leading run-scorer in the ongoing President’s Trophy Grade-I first-class tournament, which began in September. He has scored 730 runs in seven matches, including three centuries and a highest score of 225.
Suleman has accumulated 652 runs in seven matches, placing fifth on the tournament’s batting charts. He has also scored three centuries.
Minhas, who is playing his maiden first-class season, has scored 405 runs in seven matches after impressing with Pakistan’s Under-19 team.
The three batters have been rewarded for their performances in domestic cricket with places in the national Test squad.
Patron’s XI announced for warm-up match
The PCB has also announced a 13-member Patron’s XI squad for a three-day warm-up match against Sri Lanka, scheduled to take place at Islamabad Club from November 4 to 6.
Wicketkeeper-batter Saad Baig will captain the side, which also includes Abdullah Fazal, Ali Shabbir, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Mohammad Salman, Mohammad Suleman, Mohammad Tayyab Arif, Mohammad Taha, Saqib Khan, Sameer Minhas, Shoaib Akhtar Junior and Ubaid Shah.
Six players from the initial Test squad will feature in the warm-up match: Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Mohammad Suleman, Mohammad Taha and Sameer Minhas.
The selectors will add two fast bowlers from the Patron’s XI squad to Pakistan’s Test squad after the warm-up match concludes on November 6.
Pakistan-Sri Lanka Test schedule
The first Test will be played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from November 9 to 13, followed by the second match at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore from November 17 to 21.
The two-match series forms part of the ICC World Test Championship.