Pakistan Test squad for Sri Lanka series: Jamal recalled, 3 uncapped players named
Synopsis
Pakistan have made last-minute squad changes ahead of their Sri Lanka Test series, recalling all-rounder Aamir Jamal on the strength of a 7-wicket final haul and handing debuts to a 19-year-old pacer, a 727-run batter, and a 47-wicket seamer — all three of whom played in the warm-up against the visitors just days ago.
Key Takeaways
The PCB recalled Aamir Jamal and named three uncapped players — Muhammad Tayyab Arif , Ali Shabbir , and Saqib Khan — to Pakistan's Test squad on 7 November 2026 .
Ali Usman and Abdullah Fazal were released, with Usman reportedly having bowled just five overs in the warm-up fixture.
Jamal took 7-32 and scored 55 in the President's Trophy Grade-I final to earn his recall.
Tayyab Arif scored 727 runs at 66.09 in his debut first-class season; Saqib Khan took 47 wickets at 20.60 in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy.
The first Test begins at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Monday; the second runs 17–21 November at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore .
Babar Azam captains the 16-member squad.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday, 7 November 2026 announced revisions to its Test squad for the two-match series against Sri Lanka, recalling pace-bowling all-rounder Aamir Jamal and handing maiden national call-ups to batter Muhammad Tayyab Arif, teenaged fast bowler Ali Shabbir, and seamer Saqib Khan. The first Test is scheduled to begin at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Monday.
Who's In, Who's Out
To accommodate the four new additions, Ali Usman and Abdullah Fazal have been released from the squad. The timing of their exits has drawn scrutiny — the changes were made largely on the basis of a three-day warm-up fixture in which Usman reportedly bowled just five overs. All three uncapped players featured for the Patron's XI in that practice game against Sri Lanka at the Islamabad Club from 4 to 6 November.
Jamal's Return on the Back of a Strong Domestic Run
Aamir Jamal, who has represented Pakistan in nine Tests, three ODIs, and six T20Is, earned his recall after a standout domestic season. He was named player of the final in the President's Trophy Grade-I, where figures of 7-32 and a knock of 55 steered Markhor IT Solutions to the title. He further demonstrated his all-round credentials by captaining Lahore Whites in the opening round of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Gold, scoring 74 and 23 and claiming three wickets.
The Three Uncapped Debutants
Right-handed batter Tayyab Arif made an immediate impression in his maiden departmental first-class season, accumulating 727 runs in seven matches at an average of 66.09, including three hundreds, while leading Kingsmen Academy. Fast bowler Ali Shabbir, just 19 years old, has taken 22 wickets from eight first-class games and reinforced his case with three wickets against Sri Lanka in the warm-up fixture. Seamer Saqib Khan was pivotal to Karachi Blues' title-winning Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2025-26 campaign, claiming 47 wickets in nine matches at an average of 20.60, with best figures of 7-34.
Series Schedule and Full Squad
Babar Azam will continue as captain of the 16-member side. After the first Test in Rawalpindi, the series concludes with the second Test from 17 to 21 November at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. The full squad reads: Babar Azam (captain), Aamir Jamal, Ali Shabbir, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Mohammad Suleman, Mohammad Taha, Muhammad Tayyab Arif, Razaullah, Saad Baig (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Sameer Minhas, Saqib Khan, Saud Shakeel.
What to Watch in the Series
The two-Test series offers Pakistan a chance to blood new talent on home conditions ahead of a demanding international calendar. For the three debutants, the transition from domestic cricket to Test cricket against a Sri Lanka side fresh from international action will be the key measure. How the PCB's selection rationale holds up — particularly the abrupt release of Usman and Fazal — will be under scrutiny from team management and fans alike.
Point of View
But one that leaves Ali Usman and Abdullah Fazal with legitimate grievances given the thin evidence used to drop them. The more interesting subplot is how three warm-up call-ups translate to Test readiness within days; Pakistan's home conditions will help the seamers, but the first-time debutants will face a Sri Lanka side that has had time to assess their game on the same pitch. The series also matters beyond the result: if Tayyab Arif and Saqib Khan deliver, the PCB's domestic-pipeline narrative gets a credibility boost it badly needs after years of rapid, inconsistent selection.
NationPress
7 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the three uncapped players named in Pakistan's Test squad against Sri Lanka?
The three uncapped players are right-handed batter Muhammad Tayyab Arif, 19-year-old fast bowler Ali Shabbir, and seamer Saqib Khan. All three featured for Patron's XI in the warm-up game against Sri Lanka held from 4 to 6 November at the Islamabad Club.
Why was Aamir Jamal recalled to the Pakistan Test squad?
Aamir Jamal was recalled on the back of a strong domestic season in which he took 7-32 and scored 55 in the President's Trophy Grade-I final, earning him player-of-the-final honours. He also captained Lahore Whites in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Gold, scoring 74 and 23 and claiming three wickets.
When and where is the Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Test series taking place?
The first Test begins at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Monday, 10 November 2026. The second Test is scheduled from 17 to 21 November at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
Who was dropped from Pakistan's Test squad for the Sri Lanka series?
Ali Usman and Abdullah Fazal were released to make room for the four new additions. The decision has been questioned, particularly regarding Usman, who reportedly bowled only five overs in the three-day warm-up fixture.
What are Saqib Khan's domestic cricket credentials?
Saqib Khan played a central role in Karachi Blues' Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2025-26 title win, taking 47 wickets in nine matches at an average of 20.60, with best figures of 7-34. His consistent performances throughout the tournament secured him a maiden Test call-up.
