Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson has decided to implement major changes to the Test team following a series of disappointing performances in 2026. These changes include a new opening combination and a shift in how home pitches are prepared. Pakistan is set to host Sri Lanka for a two-match Test series, with the first match starting in Rawalpindi on November 9 and the second in Lahore on November 17.
The upcoming series marks Pakistan’s first home Test assignment of the year, despite the team having already played seven matches across three overseas series. Pakistan has struggled significantly this year, losing six of those seven matches. The team suffered a 2-0 whitewash against Bangladesh, a 3-0 defeat against England, and a 1-1 draw against the West Indies, where they secured their only victory.
In response to these results, Hesson has instructed ground staff to prepare pace-friendly surfaces for both matches against Sri Lanka. According to reports, this move is intended to help Pakistan improve its performance on lively pitches, specifically to prepare for overseas tours. Ground staff are currently working to create surfaces that offer more assistance to fast bowlers.
The team management is also planning significant changes to the playing XI. Five players who featured in the final Test against England—Saim Ayub, Abdullah Shafique, Shan Masood, Mohammad Imran, and Mohammad Ali—are no longer part of the team’s plans. Although Masood scored 95 runs in the first innings of the Birmingham Test, Hesson reportedly believes it is time to give a younger player an opportunity in place of the 37-year-old batter.
Pakistan is also expected to introduce a new opening combination, with Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal emerging as the leading contenders. Additionally, Mohammad Abbas and Razaullah are expected to join the national squad following the three-day match against Sri Lanka. Both fast bowlers are currently part of the PCB Patron’s XI and are considered strong candidates for selection.
Hesson has also advised Babar Azam to participate in domestic four-day cricket to regain his batting form, and the former captain is currently playing in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy following that advice. To support these efforts, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has made participation in domestic competitions compulsory, requiring leading players to represent their respective departments and regions despite reported reluctance from some players.
Pakistan currently occupies ninth place among ten teams in the ICC Test rankings, with only Zimbabwe below it. The team also sits at the bottom of the World Test Championship standings. To recover from poor performances, the PCB’s think tank has already started implementing measures for the next World Test Championship cycle. Officials are hopeful that adopting a more aggressive approach and introducing younger players will improve results. The Sri Lanka series follows Pakistan’s triumph in the tri-nation ODI series.
