Captain Babar Azam hopes an overhauled Pakistan can make a fresh start in the first Test against Sri Lanka, beginning in Rawalpindi on Monday, following their disastrous series against England. The two-match series is Pakistan's first since their 3-0 whitewash in England, where seven players were sent home after the second Test.
Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed and bowling coach Umar Gul were sacked in a September overhaul, with white-ball coach Mike Hesson brought into the Test set-up. Only Salman Agha and Aamer Jamal have been recalled from the seven players sent home, with five of the 11 who played in the final Test at Edgbaston also dropped.
Senior wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, former skipper Shan Masood, and the spin duo of Sajid Khan and Noman Ali were excluded from the squad. Batters Mohammad Taha, Saad Baig, Tayyab Arif, and Sameer Minhas, along with pace bowlers Saqib Khan and Ali Shabbir, were included for the first time.
"During the England series, we had planned to give new players a chance, so I am ready to fight with these young players," Azam said on Sunday. He also aims to revive his batting form after 40 Test innings without a century; his last ton came against New Zealand in Karachi in December 2022.
"I have played a few domestic matches and think that the more I play, the more I will improve, so I am confident," said Azam, who was reappointed skipper in July. The series is part of the World Test Championship's fourth cycle, with Pakistan currently ninth and Sri Lanka seventh in the points table.
The second Test begins in Lahore on November 17. Sri Lanka is also undergoing a reboot, with white-ball skipper Kusal Mendis taking over as captain from Dhananjaya de Silva last month.
"It's exciting, and I am happy to lead the side," said Mendis. "We have an experienced batting line-up, so we are ready for the challenge ahead."