Pakistan have opted for a profound overhaul of their red-ball setup, omitting long-standing Test captain Shan Masood alongside spin stalwarts Sajid Khan and Noman Ali from the 14-player squad for the upcoming home Test series against Sri Lanka.
The sweeping changes underline a turbulent period for Pakistan cricket, reverberating directly from the aftermath of a difficult tour of England and domestic restructuring. The selectors have turned toward fresh domestic performers and dynamic young prospects, leaving out several high-profile names as the team prepares for the two-Test series scheduled between November 9 and 21 in Rawalpindi and Lahore. Interim head coach Mike Hesson, who assumed the reins during the third Test in England, will continue in his role for this series, overseeing a squad charged with resetting Pakistan’s red-ball fortunes on home soil.
Chief among the omissions is Shan Masood, who has served as Pakistan’s Test captain for the majority of the last three years. Masood, 37, has been grappling with fitness concerns after picking up a minor niggle during the President’s Trophy. However, his absence also follows an indifferent tour of England, a campaign that ultimately triggered wholesale selection shifts mid-series. The Pakistan Cricket Board’s official press release did not explicitly detail the reasons behind Masood’s omission from the squad, leaving questions regarding his immediate international future. Under his leadership, Pakistan experienced moments of promise tempered by inconsistency, and his exclusion marks a major philosophical pivot for the national selectors.
The aftershocks of the selectorial shake-up from the English tour have deeply impacted the broader Pakistan squad as well. Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq, who were previously recalled and subsequently subjected to National Cricket Club Investigation Agency (NCCIA) inquiries in Pakistan, have found no place in the Test squad. Meanwhile, Abdullah Shafique’s fleeting spell of renewed favor with the selectors—earned after scoring a magnificent 184 not out in a memorable victory over the West Indies—has also drawn to a close. Shafique endured a torrid time throughout the English conditions, and although he responded with a solid 185 in a first-class fixture just a week prior to the announcement, his recent domestic resurgence was not enough to salvage his spot in the national side.
Conversely, the squad features notable returns for players who experienced turbulent treatment during the summer. Salman Agha, who was similarly sent home mid-tour from England, forces his way back into the Test reckoning on the back of an extraordinary domestic triple-century upon his return to Pakistan’s domestic circuit. Ali Usman also returns to the red-ball fold, rewarding selectors after showing encouraging signs during the England tour prior to his abrupt and unexpected recall.
Sajid Khan and Noman Ali Left Out
Perhaps the most significant tactical departure in the squad selection is the absence of both Sajid Khan and Noman Ali. This marks the very first home Test series since Pakistan’s deliberate strategic shift toward heavily turning pitches where neither of the veteran spin specialists has been included in the squad. Sajid traveled with the team to England but did not feature in any of the Test matches, yet the pair have otherwise remained permanent fixtures on home surfaces custom-built to exploit their unique bowling skill sets.
In the absence of the seasoned spin duo, the selection committee has pivoted toward alternative spin options, pairing the returning Ali Usman with exciting all-rounder Arafat Minhas. Minhas’s stock within the national setup has risen steadily, buoyed by strong performances in the ongoing ODI series.
The youth-heavy selection policy continues with Arafat’s explosive younger brother, Sameer Minhas, earning a maiden call-up as a top-order batter. The domestic circuit has also been heavily rewarded, with Mohammad Taha—the leading run-scorer in the President’s Trophy—receiving a call-up alongside middle-order batter Mohammad Suleman.
At this stage, Pakistan have named a core group of 14 players, with two fast bowlers yet to be finalized. For now, the specialist pace department features Mohammad Abbas and Razaullah, the latter having enchanted fans and pundits alike with his stellar all-round heroics during the third Test in England on an otherwise bleak tour for the visiting side. The team management has confirmed that a final decision regarding the remaining two seamers will be made following a three-day tour match against the visiting Sri Lankan side.
Mike Hesson will look to mold this blend of returning experience and domestic enthusiasm into a cohesive unit as Pakistan host Sri Lanka for two pivotal matches in Rawalpindi and Lahore.
Pakistan squad for the Sri Lanka Tests: Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Suleman, Mohammad Taha, Razaullah, Saad Baig (wicketkeeper), Salman Ali Agha, Sameer Minhas, and Saud Shakeel.
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