Pakistan bolster Test squad with four additions for Sri Lanka series

Pakistan have bolstered their Test squad with four additional players ahead of the upcoming two-match home series against Sri Lanka, with pace-bowling all-rounder Aamir Jamal among the new additions.

Fast bowlers Ali Shabbir and Saqib Khan, along with batter Muhammad Tayyab Arif, have also been included in the squad. The trio will receive their maiden Test call-ups, while Jamal returns to the national side following impressive performances in domestic cricket.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has released Ali Usman and Abdullah Fazal from the squad.

Tayyab, Ali and Saqib recently represented the Patron’s XI in a three-day practice match against Sri Lanka, played at Islamabad Club from November 4 to 6.

Jamal has featured in nine Tests, three ODIs and six T20Is for Pakistan. His return follows an outstanding performance in the President’s Trophy Grade-I final, where he claimed seven wickets for 32 runs and scored 55 to help Markhor IT Solutions secure the title. He was subsequently named Player of the Final.

The all-rounder also captained Lahore Whites in the opening round of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Gold, taking three wickets and scoring 74 and 23.

Tayyab has been equally impressive in domestic first-class cricket. The 19-year-old accumulated 727 runs in seven matches for Kingsmen Academy at an average of 66.09, registering three centuries.

Ali Shabbir has taken 22 wickets in eight first-class appearances and also impressed against Sri Lanka in the recent warm-up fixture, claiming three wickets.

Saqib Khan was instrumental in Karachi Blues’ title-winning campaign in the 2025-26 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. He finished as one of the tournament’s leading performers with 47 wickets in nine matches at an average of 20.60, including best figures of seven for 34.

Pakistan will open their two-Test series against Sri Lanka on November 9 at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The second Test is scheduled to take place in Lahore from November 17 to 21.

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.