Pakistan name squad for Sri Lanka Tests: Salman Agha back, Rizwan still out

Pakistan have named a 14-member squad for the two-Test home series against Sri Lanka, with Salman Agha earning a recall on Saturday. Wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan, however, continues to find no place in the side, extending his absence that began amid the tour of England.

Agha and Rizwan were among seven Pakistan players expelled from the Test series in England in August, a campaign the visitors lost 3-0. This marks Agha’s first return to the Test setup since that tour. Left-arm spinner Ali Usman has also been brought back into the fold, having been sent home from the England trip before the third and final Test of that series.

Babar Azam will continue to lead the side across both fixtures. The first Test is scheduled in Rawalpindi from November 9 to 13, with the second to follow in Lahore from November 17 to 21. Both matches form part of the ongoing World Test Championship cycle, with Pakistan currently occupying ninth and last place in the standings, while Sri Lanka sit seventh.

Why does Mohammad Rizwan remain absent from Pakistan’s Test squad?

In Pakistan’s first Test squad since the England tour, five players from that trip remain out of favour, and Rizwan is among them. His exclusion carries a specific dimension beyond the disciplinary fallout from England: the wicketkeeper-batsman is currently the subject of an ongoing investigation by Pakistan’s cyber-crime agency. The Pakistan Cricket Board has not publicly indicated when he might be considered for international selection again.

Earlier this week, the PCB permitted Rizwan to feature in a domestic match, which represented a partial relaxation of the restrictions placed on him. Despite that clearance at the domestic level, the selectors chose not to extend his availability to the Test squad for the Sri Lanka series.

Which uncapped players feature in Pakistan’s squad for the Sri Lanka Tests?

The 14-member squad contains three uncapped batters who have caught the selectors’ attention through their performances in domestic cricket. Mohammad Taha, Sameer Minhas and Mohammad Suleman have each received their first Test squad call-ups, reflecting an intent to evaluate fresh options as Pakistan seek to climb from the foot of the World Test Championship table. Sri Lanka, placed seventh in the same standings, will provide a genuine examination across both venues.

Pakistan full squad for two-Test series vs Sri Lanka

Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Ghazi Ghori, Mohammad Suleman, Mohammad Taha, Razaullah, Saad Baig, Salman Agha, Sameer Minhas, Saud Shakeel.

Two pacers will be added to the national team from the PCB Patron’s squad, which will face Sri Lanka in a warm-up game from November 4-6 at the Islamabad Club.