Pakistan name fresh batting talent for Sri Lanka Tests

The ICC published a report saying Pakistan have brought in fresh batting talent for their two-Test home series against Sri Lanka. Sameer Minhas, Mohammad Taha and Mohammad Suleman have each received their maiden Test call-up for Pakistan.

Babar Azam leads the 14-member Pakistan side for the series, which forms part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025/27. In the championship standings described in the report, Pakistan are at the bottom and Sri Lanka are seventh.

Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, wicketkeepers Mohammad Ghazi Ghori and Saad Baig, Razaullah and Saud Shakeel retained their places in the squad. The ICC report says the young batting trio impressed in Pakistan's first-class season.

Abdullah Shafique was dropped after scoring an unbeaten 160 in the first innings of the Port of Spain Test during Pakistan's win in the West Indies, then making 84 runs in 6 innings in England. Shan Masood, formerly Pakistan's Test skipper until recently, and spin bowlers Sajid Khan and Noman Ali also missed out.