Era-Defining Omissions: Pakistan Drops Shan Masood, Sajid Khan, and Noman Ali for Home Tests

Shan Masood Dropped: Pakistan has omitted Shan Masood—who served as Test captain for most of the last three years—from the 14-member squad for the upcoming home Test series against Sri Lanka. His absence follows an indifferent tour of England and an ongoing recovery from a niggle picked up during the President's Trophy.

Spin Twins Left Out: In a major shift from their usual home strategy of deploying specialized spinning surfaces, selectors left out both Sajid Khan and Noman Ali. Other Notable Absences: Mohammad Rizwan, Imam-ul-Haq, and Abdullah Shafique have also been left out following the fallout from the turbulent England tour.

Pakistan have named 14 players, with two pace bowlers to be added. For now the only seam bowlers named are Mohammad Abbas and Razaullah, whose all-round heroics in the third Test enchanted Pakistan on an otherwise bleak tour. A decision on the final two seam bowlers will be taken after a three-day tour game against Sri Lanka.

Pakistan play two Tests against Sri Lanka between November 9 and 21. The games take place in Rawalpindi and Lahore. Mike Hesson, who took the reins as interim head coach for the third Test against England, continues in that role.

Inclusions & Returnees

Returning Faces: Salman Agha makes his way back into the Test side after smashing a triple-century in domestic cricket, alongside Ali Usman.

New and Rising Talent: The squad introduces several fresh faces, including allrounder Arafat Minhas and his younger brother, explosive top-order batter Sameer Minhas. President's Trophy leading run-scorer Mohammad Taha and middle-order batter Mohammad Suleman have also earned call-ups.

Team Setup & Series Context

Leadership & Seam Attack: Babar Azam will captain the side, with Mike Hesson continuing as interim head coach. For now, only two seamers have been named (Mohammad Abbas and Razaullah), with two more pace bowlers expected to be added following a three-day tour game against the visitors.

Schedule: The two-Test series takes place between November 9 and 21, hosted across Rawalpindi and Lahore.