Pakistan announce test squad for Sri Lanka Series; Salman Ali Agha returns, Mohammad Rizwan dropped

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New Delhi: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has revealed a 14-man squad for the two-match series, which will see Salman Ali Agha and left-arm spinner Ali Usman rejoined Pakistan’s Test team.

Babar Azam will remain in charge, with former captain Shan Masood and wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan not included in the squad.

The series will be held in Rawalpindi and Lahore from 9-21 November and forms part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC).

The selectors have also announced maiden Test call-ups for three batters from domestic first-class cricket Sameer Minhas, Mohammad Taha and Mohammad Suleman.

Taha was among the top run-getters in the current President’s Trophy Grade-I tournament, where Suleman and Minhas too showed good form with the bat.

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The selections suggest a new focus on the fledgling prodigy in preparation for the home leg.

Salman Ali Agha and Ali Usman have been retained after being among the players released for Pakistan’s England tour in August, which saw the team suffer a 3-0 Test series loss.

Agha scored a century in the ongoing ODI tri-series with Sri Lanka, helping to firm up his application for selection. Rizwan and openers Imam-ul-Haq, who was also omitted from the England tour, were not included in the squad.

The tourists will feature in a three-day warm-up match against Sri Lanka at Islamabad Club from 4-6 November. The opening Test will be played in Rawalpindi from 9-13 November while the second one in Lahore from 17-21 November.

Also Read: Dhananjaya de Silva steps down as Sri Lanka Test captain ahead of Pakistan series

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