Salman Agha, Ali Usman get Pakistan recall for SL Tests, Rizwan and Imam still out
Pakistan have brought Salman Ali Agha and left-arm spinner Ali Usman back into the squad for their upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka at home in November. The duo had been among seven players sent back to Pakistan during a turbulent tour of England in August, following the team’s defeat in the second Test at Lord’s. England went on to complete a 3-0 series sweep.
Agha has made an impressive return to domestic and international cricket since then. He smashed a triple century in a first-class fixture before following it up with a hundred against Sri Lanka in the ongoing ODI tri-series.
Imam-ul-Haq and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, who were also sent home before the conclusion of the England tour, have not been included in the Test squad.
The two matches against Sri Lanka will be played in Rawalpindi from November 9 and Lahore from November 17. Both fixtures will count towards the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, with Babar Azam continuing to lead the side.
Pakistan have also handed opportunities to three uncapped players: Mohammad Taha, Sameer Minhas and Mohammad Suleman. Their selections follow strong performances in the recent President’s Trophy Grade I tournament.
Taha has been the standout batter in the competition, accumulating 730 runs in seven matches, including three centuries. Suleman has also registered three hundreds and scored 625 runs, while Minhas has impressed with 405 runs in his first season of first-class cricket.
Pakistan’s position in the WTC standings remains a concern. They currently sit ninth and last among the nine participating teams, having managed just two victories against seven defeats.
The Sri Lanka series will be followed by two home Tests against New Zealand early next year, giving Pakistan one final opportunity to close out the current WTC cycle on a stronger note.
PAKISTAN SQUAD FOR SRI LANKA TESTS
Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Ghazi Ghori, Mohammad Suleman, Mohammad Taha, Razaullah, Saad Baig, Salman Ali Agha, Sameer Minhas, Saud Shakeel.
– Ends
