Pakistan name Taha, Suleman, Sameer in 14-man Test squad vs Sri Lanka
Synopsis
Pakistan have turned to their domestic run-charts to solve a batting headache, handing maiden Test call-ups to three uncapped batters — Taha (730 runs, three hundreds), Suleman (652 runs) and Sameer Minhas — for a home series against Sri Lanka that could prove pivotal for a side sitting dead last in the World Test Championship table with just 4.63 PCT.
Key Takeaways
Mohammad Taha , Mohammad Suleman , and Sameer Minhas received maiden Test call-ups on 24 October .
Pakistan named an initial 14-member squad for the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka , scheduled 9–21 November .
Taha leads the President's Trophy run charts with 730 runs from 7 matches , including a top score of 225 .
Babar Azam continues as Pakistan's Test captain ; two more pacers will be added after the warm-up game.
Pakistan are bottom of the WTC standings at 4.63 PCT ; Sri Lanka sit seventh at 33.33 PCT .
A warm-up match between the PCB Patron's XI and Sri Lanka is scheduled at the Islamabad Club from 4–6 November .
Mohammad Taha, Mohammad Suleman, and Sameer Minhas — three uncapped batters — received their maiden Test call-ups on Saturday, 24 October as Pakistan announced an initial 14-member squad for the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. The series is scheduled from 9 to 21 November, with matches at Rawalpindi and Lahore, and Babar Azam continuing as Test captain.
Three Debutants on the Strength of Domestic Form
All three newcomers have earned their places through standout performances in the ongoing President's Trophy Grade-I first-class competition, which commenced in September. Taha, a 26-year-old left-handed batter, leads the tournament's run charts with 730 runs from seven matches, including three centuries and a top score of 225.
Suleman, a right-hander, sits fifth on the same run charts with 652 runs and three centuries to his name. Sameer, another right-handed batter and a product of Pakistan's U-19 setup, has accumulated 405 runs in seven matches during his debut first-class season.
Squad Composition and Retained Players
Several players have retained their spots, including Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Razaullah, and Saud Shakeel. Wicketkeepers Mohammad Ghazi Ghori and Saad Baig, left-arm spinner Ali Usman, and batter Salman Ali Agha complete the 14-member unit.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed that two additional pacers will be added to the squad following a three-day warm-up match between the PCB Patron's XI and Sri Lanka at the Islamabad Club from 4 to 6 November. Saad Baig will captain the Patron's XI in that fixture, which will also serve as a preparatory outing for the debutants alongside squad regulars.
Match Schedule and WTC Context
The first Test is set for the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from 9 to 13 November, followed by the second Test at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium from 17 to 21 November. The series carries added weight in the context of the World Test Championship (WTC) standings: Pakistan currently sit at the bottom of the table with a points percentage of 4.63, while Sri Lanka occupy seventh place with 33.33 PCT.
This makes the home series a critical opportunity for Pakistan to accumulate WTC points and arrest a slide that has seen them struggle for consistency in the longest format.
Full Squads
Pakistan Test squad: Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Mohammad Suleman, Mohammad Taha, Razaullah, Saad Baig (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Sameer Minhas, Saud Shakeel.
PCB Patron's XI: Saad Baig (captain, wk), Abdullah Fazal, Ali Shabbir, Ali Usman, Azan Awais, Mohammad Salman, Mohammad Suleman, Mohammad Tayyab Arif, Mohammad Taha, Saqib Khan, Sameer Minhas, Shoaib Akhtar Jnr, Ubaid Shah.
With Pakistan's WTC position leaving little margin for error, the selectors' gamble on fresh domestic talent could define the team's trajectory in the championship cycle ahead.
Point of View
Yet the leap from domestic first-class cricket to Test cricket against a quality Sri Lankan attack is considerable. The real question is whether this is a genuine rebuild or a panic reshuffle — and the WTC table, where Pakistan sit last with 4.63 PCT, suggests there is little room for the latter.
NationPress
24 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the uncapped players named in Pakistan's Test squad for the Sri Lanka series?
The three uncapped players are Mohammad Taha, Mohammad Suleman, and Sameer Minhas, all batters who earned their call-ups on the strength of strong performances in the President's Trophy Grade-I first-class competition. Taha leads the tournament's run charts with 730 runs, Suleman has scored 652, and Sameer has made 405 runs in his debut first-class season.
When and where will Pakistan play Sri Lanka in Tests in November 2024?
The two-match Test series runs from 9 to 21 November 2024. The first Test is at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from 9–13 November, and the second is at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium from 17–21 November.
Who is captaining Pakistan for the Sri Lanka Test series?
Babar Azam continues as Pakistan's Test captain for the series. Saad Baig will captain the PCB Patron's XI in the warm-up match against Sri Lanka from 4–6 November at the Islamabad Club.
Where do Pakistan and Sri Lanka stand in the World Test Championship?
Pakistan are currently at the bottom of the WTC standings with a points percentage of 4.63, making the home series a critical opportunity to improve their position. Sri Lanka sit seventh with 33.33 PCT.
Why is a warm-up match being held before the Test series?
The PCB Patron's XI will play a three-day warm-up game against Sri Lanka at the Islamabad Club from 4–6 November to help both sides prepare. The PCB has also stated that two additional pacers will be selected for the main Test squad based on performances in this match.
