Pakistan have named their squad for the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, starting in early November. Babar Azam remains captain, and Salman Ali Agha returns after being dropped in England. With the team last in the WTC 2025-2027 table, the series is a key test of their direction.
Pakistan's Test Form Heading into the Series
Pakistan sit at the bottom of the ICC World Test Championship 2025-2027 standings. They have won just one of their last five Tests, a return of 20 percent.
The side was outplayed in England, which has raised questions about both batting output and leadership. The Sri Lanka series offers a chance to reverse that trend.
| Metric | Figure |
|---|
| WTC 2025-2027 position | Bottom of the table |
| Tests played (last five) | 5 |
| Wins (last five) | 1 |
| Win rate (last five) | 20% |
| Series scheduled | 2 Tests vs Sri Lanka |
Babar Azam's Captaincy Record in Context
Babar has been criticised for his batting and leadership during the England tour. However, Pakistan won away in the West Indies under him, their first win away from home in three years.
That result is the main argument for continuity. The selectors have backed a captain with a recent away win over a side with a longer losing run.
Salman Ali Agha's Return and Domestic Form
Salman Ali Agha led Pakistan in the first Test in England in Babar's absence. He was dropped for the second Test and sent home with other players and coaching staff before the third, a decision that caused turmoil.
His domestic response has been measurable. He scored an unbeaten 300 for Kingsmen Academy in September and added another century later that month. He played five domestic matches to work on his batting alignment, technique and touch.
| Innings | Competition | Score |
|---|
| Kingsmen Academy | Domestic, September | 300 not out |
| Second domestic innings | Domestic, September | Century |
| vs Sri Lanka | Ongoing Tri-series | 107 |
What the Numbers Suggest
Three scores of 100 or more in a short period point to a recovery in form. Scoring 107 against Sri Lanka in the Tri-series also gives him recent experience against the same opposition.
Mohammad Taha: Maiden Call-Up Backed by Volume
Mohammad Taha has been added to the squad after finishing as the leading run-scorer in the President's Trophy Grade-I first-class competition. He made 730 runs in seven matches, including three centuries.
That works out to an average of about 104 runs per match played. It is a selection based on run volume rather than reputation.
| Player | Competition | Matches | Runs | Centuries |
|---|
| Mohammad Taha | President's Trophy Grade-I | 7 | 730 | 3 |
Warm-Up Match and Squad Structure
Pakistan will play a three-day warm-up match against Sri Lanka from 4-6 November at the Islamabad Club. Two pacers from the Patron's squad will be added to the Test squad once it concludes.
The PCB has described the squad as 13 members, though the published list names 14 players. The additional pacers will then complete the group for the series.
Pakistan Squad for the Two Tests vs Sri Lanka
The squad includes two wicketkeepers, Mohammad Ghazi Ghori and Saad Baig. It also includes experienced names such as Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Abbas.
| Role | Players |
|---|
| Captain | Babar Azam |
| Wicketkeepers | Mohammad Ghazi Ghori, Saad Baig |
| Batters and all-rounders | Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Suleman, Mohammad Taha, Salman Ali Agha, Sameer Minhas, Saud Shakeel |
| Bowler | Mohammad Abbas |
| Others named | Razaullah |
Key Indicators to Watch
Top-order run output will be the main indicator, given the batting concerns in England. The bowling attack remains incomplete until the two pacers are added after the warm-up.
A series win would be Pakistan's first step toward improving their WTC 2025-2027 position. A repeat of the recent 1-in-5 win rate would keep them under pressure at the foot of the table.