The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced a fourteen member squad for the upcoming two match Test series against Sri Lanka. Pakistan played their last Test match in England, where the results were disappointing. This poor run of form is the main reason why almost half of the squad has been changed. Players who struggled to perform have been replaced by consistent domestic performers and emerging young talent.A major highlight of this new squad is the dominant presence of young players from Karachi. Mohammad Taha, who is currently the top run scorer in the ongoing President’s Cup, has earned his maiden call up to the national side. Back in August, Taha gave an exclusive interview where he stated that his ultimate goal was to play for Pakistan, and that he had his eyes firmly set on performing in the upcoming domestic season. He truly turned his words into reality by delivering massive performances on the field to earn this national call up. Interestingly, Taha also shared in that interview that his dream was to have a net session with Babar Azam. In a beautiful twist of fate, Babar Azam will now be his Test captain.
Joining him is Saad Baig, who recently made his One Day International debut in the Tri Nation series. His exceptional performances in the Quaid e Azam Trophy last year have fast tracked him into the Test squad. He joins fellow Karachi keeper Mohammad Ghazi Ghori in the team as an additional wicketkeeper batter. This selection means that Pakistan’s wicketkeepers across all formats are now officially Karachi glovemen. This serves as the ultimate proof that this region is indeed the nursery of gloves. From the early days of legends like Wasim Bari and Saleem Yousuf, to the global dominance of Rashid Latif, Moin Khan, and Champions Trophy winning captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, Karachi has always acted as an assembly line for elite stumpers.
Elsewhere in the squad, Abdullah Fazal has managed to retain his place in the side, which is well deserved after his monumental triple century in the President’s Trophy. Saud Shakeel also keeps his spot in the squad after impressing during the tour of England. The selection committee has only named a fourteen member group for now. The board has scheduled a three day practice match against Sri Lanka starting on November 4 at Islamabad Club. Saad Baig has been appointed captain for this match, which features almost all the top young domestic performers who now have a golden opportunity to prove their worth.
Following this warm up fixture, the selectors will add two fast bowlers to the main squad to complete a sixteen member lineup. This setup gives bowler Saqib Khan a brilliant opportunity to make an impact and earn his maiden international call up. In an exclusive interview done with him earlier, Saqib revealed that his absolute dream is to play Test cricket and dismiss England’s batting great Joe Root. While that specific prized scalp will have to wait for now, Joe Root is currently in Pakistan with the England team, coinciding exactly with Saqib earning his spot in the PCB Patron’s squad. On a lighter note, even if Saqib cannot get his dream wicket immediately, Root has certainly acted as a lucky charm for him as he stands on the verge of a Test call up.
Additionally, Tayyab Arif, a standout performer from another region who finished just three runs behind Mohammad Taha in the domestic scoring charts, has been rewarded with a place in the PCB Patron’s XI squad. This shows that the board is actively investing in top domestic performers from all cricket regions, while Karachi’s strong presence reflects the incredible depth of talent coming through the city and its contribution to the national setup.
Pakistan 14 members for Sri Lanka Tests
Babar Azam (capt), 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.
The final sixteen member Test squad will be completed by adding two fast bowlers, who will be selected directly from the PCB Patron’s XI based on their performances in this warm up fixture.
PCB Patron’s Squad
Saad Baig (Capt/Wk), Abdullah Fazal, Azan Awais, Ali Shabbir, Ali Usman, Muhammad Salman, Muhammad Suleman, Muhammad Taha, Sameer Minhas, Saqib Khan, Shoaib Aktar Junior, Tayyab Arif, Ubaid Shah.
