The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a preliminary 14-member Test squad for the two-match ICC World Test Championship series against Sri Lanka. Babar Azam will continue to lead the team, while Muhammad Taha, Sameer Minhas and Muhammad Suleman have earned their first call-ups to the Test squad.
According to reports, the squad includes Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Arafat Minhas, Azaan Owais, Muhammad Abbas, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Muhammad Suleman, Muhammad Taha, Rizwanullah, Saad Baig, Salman Ali Agha, Sameer Minhas and Saud Shakeel.
Following the warm-up match, two fast bowlers from the PCB Patrons squad will be added to the Test team.
The 26-year-old left-handed batter Muhammad Taha scored 730 runs in seven matches during the President’s Trophy first-class tournament, including three centuries and a highest score of 225. Muhammad Suleman was among the tournament’s leading batters with 652 runs, while Sameer Minhas scored 405 runs in seven matches during his first first-class season.
Ahead of the Sri Lanka series, a three-day warm-up match will be held at Islamabad Club from November 4 to 6. Saad Baig will captain the PCB Patrons XI, which will also feature six members of the Test squad. Five fast bowlers have been included in the side.
The first Test against Sri Lanka will be played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from November 9 to 13, while the second Test is scheduled for November 17 to 21 at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium.
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