PCB add Aamir Jamal, three uncapped players to Pakistan squad for Sri Lanka Tests

Why This Matters

Key context: <p>The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday added pace-bowling all-rounder Aamir Jamal and three uncapped players to the Test squad for the <a href="https://www.dawn.com/news/2039657">two-match series against Sri Lanka</a>, taking the strength of the team to 16.</p> <p>Batter Mohammad Tayyab Arif, fast bowlers Ali Shabbir and Saqib Khan have earned their maiden call-ups following impressive performances in domestic cricket and the PCB Patron’s XI’s three-day practice match against Sri Lanka at the Islamabad Club from November 4 to 6.</p> <p>The PCB also released Ali Usman and Abdullah Fazal from the original 14-member squad.</p> <p>The first Test is scheduled to begin at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on Monday, with the second to be played at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium from November 17 to 21.</p> <p>Both matches are part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27 cycle, in which Pakistan currently occupy the bottom position, while Sri Lanka are seventh.</p> <figure class='media w-full w-full media-- media--embed media--uneven media--tweet' data-original-src='https://x.com/TheRealPCBMedia/status/2119012088068931995'> <div class='media__item media__item--twitter '><span> <blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"> <a href="https://twitter.com/TheRealPCBMedia/status/2119012088068931995"></a> </blockquote> </span></div> </figure> <p>Aamir, who has represented Pakistan in nine Tests, three ODIs and six T20Is, returns to the squad on the back of strong domestic performances.</p> <p>He was named player of the final in the President’s Trophy Grade-I after taking seven for 32 and scoring 55 to help Markhor IT Solutions win the title.</p> <p>He also made an impact in the opening round of the Quaid-i-Azam Trophy Gold, taking three wickets and scoring 74 and 23 while captaining Lahore Whites.</p> <p>Aamir was among the players sent home during Pakistan’s recent tour of England.</p> <p>Tayyab, meanwhile, has emerged as one of the leading performers in domestic first-class cricket this season. The 19-year-old right-handed batter from Sialkot scored 727 runs in seven matches for Kingsmen Academy in the departmental tournament at an average of 66.09, including three centuries in his maiden season.</p> <p>Ali Shabbir, also 19, has taken 22 wickets in eight first-class matches. He claimed three wickets in the practice game against Sri Lanka, with bowling coach Shaun Tait reportedly impressed by the young fast bowler’s pace and rhythm.</p> <p>Saqib Khan was among the standout performers in Karachi Blues’ Quaid-i-Azam Trophy 2025-26 title-winning campaign. He finished with 47 wickets in nine matches at an average of 20.60, including best figures of seven for 34.</p> <p>The latest additions underline the team management’s emphasis on rewarding domestic performances and providing opportunities to emerging players. The original squad already included several relatively inexperienced players, among them Mohammad Taha, Sameer Minhas, Mohammad Suleman and all-rounder Razaullah.</p> <p>Razaullah made an impressive impression on his Test debut against England at Edgbaston earlier this year, taking four wickets before scoring a rapid 81, which included nine sixes.</p> <p>Meanwhile, experienced fast bowler Mohammad Abbas will lead the pace attack as Pakistan seek to make a strong start to their home Test season.</p> <p>Abbas, who has taken more than 110 Test wickets at an average in the low 20s, said he was keen to register a maiden five-wicket haul on home soil, a milestone that has so far eluded him.</p> <p>“I thank Allah that I am in form and will try to continue it. I owe a big performance — a five-wicket haul — in Pakistan, so I will try to get my name on the board here as well,” he said on the sidelines of the team’s practice session at the Islamabad Club.</p> <p>The 36-year-old has enjoyed considerable success overseas, including career-best figures of six for 54 and a match haul of 10 for 95 against Australia in the UAE in 2018. He also claimed five for 57 at <a href="https://www.dawn.com/news/2026038">Lord’s</a> earlier this year.</p> <p>Abbas attributed his consistency to regular participation in domestic red-ball competitions and English county cricket, saying he managed to get around 20 to 25 days of competitive cricket almost every year.</p> <p>He also welcomed the inclusion of young players in the squad, describing it as an opportunity for them to establish themselves at the highest level.</p> <p>“This team has quite a few youngsters. The cricket board and management have decided that youngsters should be given a chance. It is a big opportunity for them to show their skills and secure their place for the future. This is a good sign,” he said.</p> <p>Abbas singled out Razaullah as a promising prospect, praising his willingness to learn and improve.</p> <p>The veteran pacer said preparations for the series had gone well, with players getting match practice ahead of the opening Test. He cautioned, however, against taking Sri Lanka lightly, stressing the importance of assessing conditions and performing consistently.</p> <p>Pakistan have won 23 of their 59 previous Tests against Sri Lanka, losing 17, while 19 ended in draws. They won the last home series between the sides 1-0 in 2019-20.</p> <p>Sri Lanka, led by Kusal Mendis, have named a 15-member squad featuring experienced players Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva and Prabath Jayasuriya, while Pathum Nissanka is also in contention.</p> <p>Revised Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (captain), Aamir Jamal, Ali Shabbir, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ghazi Ghori (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Suleman, Mohammad Taha, Mohammad Tayyab Arif, Razaullah, Saad Baig (wicket-keeper), Salman Ali Agha, Sameer Minhas, Saqib Khan, Saud Shakeel</p> This development from dawn.com highlights ongoing changes in the sector.