Islamabad, November 7, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday announced the inclusion of pace-bowling all-rounder Aamir Jamal and three uncapped players in the squad for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka, beginning in Rawalpindi on Monday.
Batter Muhammad Tayyab Arif, 19-year-old fast bowler Ali Shabbir and seamer Saqib Khan have received their maiden national call-ups. Ali Usman and Abdullah Fazal have been released from the squad to accommodate the four players.
All three newcomers represented the Patron’s XI in the three-day warm-up match against Sri Lanka at Islamabad Club from November 4 to 6. The changes came after the practice fixture, in which Usman bowled just five overs.
Jamal, who has played nine Tests, three ODIs and six T20Is for Pakistan, returns after an impressive domestic run. He was named player of the final in the President’s Trophy Grade-I after taking 7-32 and scoring 55 to help Markhor IT Solutions win the title.
He subsequently captained Lahore Whites in the opening round of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Gold, scoring 74 and 23 and taking three wickets.
Tayyab scored 727 runs in seven matches at an average of 66.09, including three centuries, in his maiden season of the departmental first-class tournament while leading Kingsmen Academy.
Ali has taken 22 wickets in eight first-class matches and also claimed three wickets against Sri Lanka in the warm-up game. Saqib played a key role in Karachi Blues’ Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2025-26 triumph, finishing with 47 wickets in nine matches at an average of 20.60. His best figures were 7-34.
Babar Azam will continue to lead the 16-member squad. The first Test will be played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, followed by the second match at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium from November 17 to 21.
Pakistan 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.
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