Pakistan have included six uncapped players in their 16-man squad for the Test series against Sri Lanka, which is scheduled to kick off on November 9.
After enduring a disastrous time in the ongoing World Test Championship, winning only two and losing seven matches, Pakistan have opted to trust their younger generation more. The squad for the two-match series against Sri Lanka has as many as six uncapped players (seven who have not played Tests yet), with the likes of Shan Masood and Mohammad Rizwan not finding a place. Let's take a look at these new faces in their squad.
Sameer Minhas
Only 19, Sameer had an outstanding season for Islamabad United in the 2026 PSL. He has played only seven first-class matches, but has already left a strong impression: he averages 40.50 with three half-centuries. In only his second game, he struck 53 and 96 against Ghani in the President's Trophy in September.
Mohammad Taha
Taha, the 26-year-old batter from Karachi, had an incredible run in the President's Trophy Grade and could be in line for his international debut. He piled on 730 runs from seven games in the tournament at an average of 66.36, with three centuries and a half-century. His best came, against State Bank of Pakistan, was a magnificent 225 from No.3.
Mohammad Suleman
Suleman also had a terrific campaign in the President's Trophy, where he smashed three centuries. He made 182 from No.3 as Hyderabad Kingsmen Academy piled on 643-8 against Khan Research Laboratories. However, he returned single-digit scores from No.5 against Sri Lanka in the tour match.
Ali Shabbir
The 19-year-old medium-pacer has played only eight first-class matches, and has picked up 22 wickets at an average of 34.54. His career-best figures of 4-23 in 10 overs was against the Markhor IT Solutions. Along with other five uncapped players named in the squad, Shabbir was also part of the tour match against Sri Lanka, picking up 2-28 and 1-33.
Tayyab Arif
In the same match that Suleman hammered 182, Tayyab laid the foundation with a free-flowing 98 off 112 deliveries while opening batting. Apart from that, he scored three centuries in the tournament, racking up 727 runs from seven games at an average of 66.09 and striking at a stunning 89.
Saqib Khan
The 31-year-old right arm pacer has impressive first-class numbers, with 81 wickets from 19 matches at 23.59 apiece. Saqib played only three games in the President's Trophy, claiming 10 wickets including 5-37 versus Pakistan Television. He got 2-28 and 2-38 in the tour game.
Arafat Minhas
The older brother of Sameer, Arafat has played seven T20Is and eight ODIs for Pakistan but is yet to make his Test debut. His stocks shot up after the tri-series, where he scored two fifties and claimed a six-for against England. The left-arm spin all-rounder averages 32.44 with the bat in first-class cricket, and has taken 22 wickets at 32.36. However, he has not played in the format since February.
Image: Instagram/Sameer Minhas
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