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November 7, 2026

Findivoza

Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
Sports

Pakistan Add Four Players to Test Squad for Sri Lanka Series as Three Youngsters Earn Maiden Call-Ups

Faizan Altaf

Pakistan have made four late changes to their Test squad for the home series against Sri Lanka, handing maiden call-ups to three young players just two days before the first Test begins in Rawalpindi.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed the changes on Saturday, 7 November 2026. Pace-bowling all-rounder Aamer Jamal returns to the Test setup, while batter Muhammad Tayyab Arif and fast bowlers Ali Shabbir and Saqib Khan have been added to the 16-man squad.

All three played in the PCB Patron’s XI three-day practice match against Sri Lanka at the Islamabad Club from 4 to 6 November. Spinner Ali Usman and opener Abdullah Fazal have been released from the squad; the PCB did not give a reason for their removal.

Aamer Jamal earns a recall on domestic form

Jamal, 30, is the only one of the four with international experience: nine Tests, three one-day internationals and six Twenty20 internationals.

He earned the recall with domestic form, starring in the President’s Trophy Grade-I final with 7 wickets for 32 runs and a valuable 55.

Three new faces, three strong domestic seasons

Tayyab Arif, a 20-year-old batter, scored 727 runs in seven first-class matches at an average of 66.09, including three centuries.

Ali Shabbir, a 19-year-old fast bowler, has taken 22 wickets in eight first-class matches.

Saqib Khan was one of the leading wicket-takers in the 2025-26 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, finishing with 47 wickets in nine matches at an average of 20.60.

The full squad

The 16-man squad, captained by Babar Azam: Babar Azam (captain), Aamer Jamal, Ali Shabbir, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ghazi Ghori, Mohammad Suleman, Mohammad Taha, Muhammad Tayyab Arif, Razaullah, Saad Baig, Salman Ali Agha, Sameer Minhas, Saqib Khan and Saud Shakeel.

Why it matters

Pakistan are backing youth at the start of a home Test series that counts towards the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27. All three newcomers have forced their way in through domestic performances, and the practice match gave them a taste of the opposition they are about to face.

What happens next

The first Test starts on Monday, 9 November, at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium and runs until 13 November. The second Test will be played in Lahore from 17 to 21 November. The playing XI will be named on the morning of the first Test, revealing whether any of the three newcomers make their debut.

Sources

This article is for general information and education only. It is not legal or financial advice.

Faizan Altaf

Faizan Altaf is the founder and author of findivoza.com, a news blog covering world, Pakistan, business, technology, health and sport in plain English. He writes for general readers who want clear, trustworthy news without jargon. His work focuses on explaining what happened, why it matters, and what to watch next.

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