# Pakistan Unveils Youth-Heavy Squad for Sri Lanka Test Series Selectors drop veterans to integrate seven uncapped players following recent Test Championship struggles. - **Source:** [Wisden](https://www.wisden.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-08 - **Topic:** [sports](https://brifing.si/c/sports) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/59d49b06-5fbc-41c4-810d-fe2676a9169a ## Strategic Squad Overhaul Following a disappointing World Test Championship campaign with only two wins in nine matches, Pakistan has initiated a significant roster transition. The selectors have excluded experienced players like Shan Masood and Mohammad Rizwan. This move signals a clear shift toward prioritizing younger talent to revitalize the national team's struggling red-ball performance. ## The Minhas Brothers Nineteen-year-old Sameer Minhas earns a call-up after a standout 2026 PSL season, boasting a first-class average of 40.50. His brother, Arafat Minhas, also joins the squad despite not yet playing a Test match. Arafat brings international experience from T20Is and ODIs, notably taking a six-wicket haul against England in a recent tri-series. ## Prolific Domestic Scorers Mohammad Taha joins the setup after a dominant President's Trophy run, accumulating 730 runs at an average of 66.36. His performance included a massive 225-run innings against the State Bank of Pakistan. Alongside him, Tayyab Arif provides aggressive opening options, having scored 727 runs at a striking rate of 89 during the same tournament. ## Middle-Order Powerhouses Mohammad Suleman secures his place following a terrific domestic campaign where he smashed three centuries. He notably scored 182 runs during a massive team total of 643-8 for Hyderabad Kingsmen Academy. Despite a minor setback with single-digit scores in the recent tour match, his domestic form remains a primary driver for his selection. ## Pace Bowling Prospects Nineteen-year-old Ali Shabbir brings fresh energy to the bowling attack, having claimed 22 wickets in eight first-class matches. He demonstrated his potential during the tour match against Sri Lanka by taking three wickets. His career-best figures of 4-23 highlight his ability to perform under pressure against competitive domestic opposition in recent months. ## Experienced Pacer Addition Saqib Khan, at 31, offers a more seasoned perspective among the uncapped players. With 81 wickets from just 19 first-class matches at an average of 23.59, he provides proven reliability. His recent performance, including a 5-37 haul against Pakistan Television, confirms his readiness to handle the demands of international Test cricket bowling. ## Tour Match Performance The uncapped players were tested in a recent tour match against Sri Lanka to gauge their readiness. Ali Shabbir and Saqib Khan both contributed with the ball, taking multiple wickets to prove their utility. This match served as a critical final evaluation for the selectors before finalizing the squad for the upcoming series. ## Future Outlook This selection marks a pivotal moment for Pakistan cricket as they attempt to rebuild their Test identity. By integrating seven uncapped players, the team management is clearly looking beyond immediate results to build long-term depth. Success in this series will depend on how quickly these young talents adapt to the rigors of Test cricket. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.wisden.com/series/pakistan-vs-sri-lanka-m-2026/cricket-news/who-are-the-new-faces-in-pakistan-squad-for-sri-lanka-tests — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._