Key Takeaways
- Salman Agha has been recalled to the Pakistan Test squad for upcoming matches against Sri Lanka.
- Mohammad Rizwan remains out of the squad despite being allowed to play a domestic match.
- The squad includes uncapped players and is part of the World Test Championship.
Former Pakistan captain Salman Agha has been reinstated to the national team for two upcoming Test matches against Sri Lanka, while Mohammad Rizwan continues to be left out. Agha and Rizwan were among seven players expelled from the Test tour of England in August, a series the visitors lost 3-0.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has allowed Rizwan to participate in a domestic match, but his place in the international team remains uncertain. The ongoing investigation by the country’s cyber-crime agency into Rizwan’s activities is a significant factor in his exclusion.
Agha’s return to the squad is seen as a positive move, with the PCB aiming to bolster the team’s leadership and experience. Left-arm spinner Ali Usman, who was sent home from the England tour before the third Test, has also been recalled.
The squad for the two-match series against Sri Lanka, scheduled for Rawalpindi and Lahore, includes a trio of uncapped batters: Mohammad Taha, Sameer Minhas, and Mohammad Suleman. These players have performed well at the domestic level and are expected to provide fresh impetus to the team.
Babar Azam will continue to lead the side in the upcoming matches. The series is part of the World Test Championship, with Pakistan currently ranked ninth and last, and Sri Lanka seventh.
The squad comprises 14 members, including Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Ghazi Ghori, Mohammad Suleman, Mohammad Taha, Razaullah, Saad Baig, Salman Agha, Sameer Minhas, and Saud Shakeel.
This move by the PCB is part of a broader strategy to address the issues that led to the England tour debacle, with a focus on rebuilding the team’s morale and performance.
