Aamir Jamal returns as PCB makes four changes to Pakistan Test squad

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Saturday announced changes to the national Test squad for the upcoming two-match series against Sri Lanka, adding four players and releasing two others.

Pakistan have added four players to the squad, with all-rounder Aamer Jamal, Ali Shabbir, Saqib Khan and Muhammad Tayyab Arif earning places.

Ali, Saqib and Tayyab have received their maiden call-ups to the national Test team. The trio were part of the Pakistan Shaheens squad for the practice match against Sri Lanka.

Meanwhile, Ali Usman and Abdullah Fazal have been released from the Test squad.

The first Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka will begin on Monday at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, while the second match is scheduled to start on November 17 at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.

Aamir Jamal, a pace-bowling all-rounder who has played nine Tests, three ODIs and six T20Is for Pakistan, recently earned Player of the Final honours in the President’s Trophy Grade-I.

His bowling figures of seven for 32 and a contribution of 55 runs with the bat helped turn the match in favour of eventual champions Markhor IT Solutions.

He also captained Lahore Whites in the opening round of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Gold, taking three wickets and scoring 74 and 23 runs.

Tayyab, a right-handed batter, Ali, a rookie pacer, and Saqib, a fast bowler, have received their maiden call-ups to Pakistan’s national team for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka.

16-member Pakistan Test squad

Babar Azam (captain), Aamir Jamal, Ali Shabbir, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Mohammad Suleman, Mohammad Taha, Muhammad Tayyab Arif, Razaullah, Saad Baig (wk), Salman Ali Agha, Sameer Minhas, Saqib Khan and Saud Shakeel

Pakistan vs Sri Lanka T20I

Earlier in October, Pakistan recently hosted Sri Lanka for a three-match T20I series, securing a 2-1 victory after winning the opening two matches in Rawalpindi by four wickets and 82 runs, respectively, before losing the final match by eight wickets.

Tri-series results

The two sides also met in the ODI tri-series hosted by Green Shirts, with the hosts defeating Sri Lanka by 37 runs in the opening match and later beating them by three wickets in the final at Lahore on October 31 to clinch the title.