The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday expanded the national men's squad by including four players - three of them uncapped - for the upcoming two-Test home series against Sri Lanka, starting Monday in Rawalpindi. According to a PCB statement, pace-bowling all-rounder Aamir Jamal, pacer Ali Shabbir, batter Muhammad Tayyab Arif, and pace bowler Saqib Khan were named to Pakistan's Test squad for the upcoming two-match series.
Tayyab, Ali, and Saqib have received maiden Pakistan call-ups. They also featured in the Patron's XI v Sri Lanka practice match at the Islamabad Club from November 4-6.
Ali Usman and Abdullah Fazal have been released from the Test squad. Although the PCB did not disclose the reason for releasing Fazal and Usman, it cited impressive performances in the domestic circuit as the reason for adding Jamal, Shabbir, Saqib, and Tayyab.
"Aamir, who has played nine Tests, three ODIs, and six T20Is for Pakistan, was recently player of the final in the President's Trophy Grade-I, where his bowling figures of seven for 32 and 55 with the bat turned the tables in favour of eventual winners Markhor IT Solutions," the PCB said.
"He also led Lahore Whites in the opening round of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Gold and snapped three wickets while scoring 74 and 23. Right-hand batter Tayyab also impressed in the departmental first-class tournament where he led Kingsmen Academy and scored 727 runs in seven matches at an average of 66.09, including three centuries in his maiden season. 19-year-old fast bowler Ali has played eight first-class matches and taken 22 wickets."
He also picked up three wickets against Sri Lanka. Saqib played an instrumental role in Karachi Blues' title run in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2025-26 by taking 47 wickets in nine matches at an average of 20.60 with a best of seven for 34.
Squad: 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, and Saud Shakeel. Schedule: November 9-13: First Test, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi.
November 17-21: Second Test, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.