Pakistan have named their Test squad for the two-match series against Sri Lanka, with Shaheen Afridi’s return being one of the notable highlights.
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Two uncapped Test players – Mohammad Huraira and Aamer Jamal – have been included in the 16-member squad which will travel to Sri Lanka in July.
It will mark the beginning of Pakistan’s World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle.
Pakistan Test squad: Who made the cut?
The side, led by Babar Azam, has considerable experience, including the two wicketkeepers Mohammad Rizwan and Sarfaraz Ahmed, the former Pakistan skipper.
Shaheen will join Naseem Shah and Hassan Ali in the pace department, with Jamal adding to the firepower. The spin department is amply stocked too in Abrar Ahmed, Nauman Ali, Mohammad Nawaz and Salman Agha.
“I am very excited to be returning to the Pakistan Test side after a year,” Shaheen was quoted as saying in a media release by PCB. “I dearly missed Test cricket and it was tough for me to be away from this format.”
Shaheen last played a Test when Pakistan toured Sri Lanka in 2022, before a knee injury led to considerable time away from the game.
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Huraira, who played for the Pakistan side in the 2020 U19 World Cup, has since had a successful run in domestic cricket. Last year, he became the youngest in Pakistan to score a triple century in first-class cricket.
Jamal turned heads on his T20I debut last year against England, making many wonder if he was next in line among Pakistan’s fast bowlers, while also creating a buzz with his hard-hitting down the order.
Morne Morkel has been named Pakistan’s bowling coach for the tour.
Pakistan Test squad for Sri Lanka tour: Full team list
Batters
Babar Azam (c), Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Huraira, Shan Masood, Saud Shakeel
Wicketkeepers
Mohammad Rizwan (vc), Sarfaraz Ahmed
All-rounders
Salman Ali Agha, Mohammad Nawaz, Aamer Jamal
Bowlers
Abrar Ahmed, Hassan Ali, Naseem Shah, Nauman Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi
