LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has strengthened the national Test squad by adding four players — Aamir Jamal, Ali Shabbir, Muhammad Tayyab Arif and Saqib Khan — for the upcoming two-match series against Sri Lanka.
According to a PCB announcement issued in Lahore on Saturday, Tayyab, Ali and Saqib have earned their maiden call-ups to the national Test side. The trio also represented the Patron’s XI in a three-day practice match against Sri Lanka at Islamabad Club from November 4 to 6.
Meanwhile, Ali Usman and Abdullah Fazal have been released from the squad.
Aamir Jamal, who has represented Pakistan in nine Tests, three ODIs and six T20 internationals, recently delivered an impressive performance in the President’s Trophy Grade-I final. He claimed seven wickets for 32 runs and contributed 55 runs with the bat, helping Markhor IT Solutions secure the title.
He also captained Lahore Whites in the opening round of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Gold, taking three wickets and scoring 74 and 23 runs.
Right-handed batter Muhammad Tayyab Arif made a strong impression in his debut season in the Departmental first-class tournament. Leading Kingsmen Academy, he accumulated 727 runs in seven matches at an average of 66.09, including three centuries.
The 19-year-old fast bowler Ali Shabbir has featured in eight first-class matches, claiming 22 wickets. He also took three wickets in the recent practice match against Sri Lanka.
Saqib Khan was a key contributor to Karachi Blues’ triumph in the 2025-26 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, finishing with 47 wickets in nine matches at an average of 20.60. His best bowling figures were seven for 34.
The opening Test of the two-match series is scheduled to start on Monday, November 9, at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Pakistan’s 16-member Test squad:
Babar Azam (captain), Aamir Jamal, Ali Shabbir, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Suleman, Mohammad Taha, Muhammad Tayyab Arif, Razaullah, Saad Baig (wicketkeeper), Salman Ali Agha, Sameer Minhas, Saqib Khan and Saud Shakeel.
