Islamabad, 7 November, 2026 (Kamran Raja): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has added four players, including pace-bowling all-rounder Aamir Jamal, to the national men’s Test squad for the upcoming two-match home series against Sri Lanka, scheduled to begin on November 9 in Rawalpindi. Fast bowlers Ali Shabbir and Saqib Khan, along with batter Muhammad Tayyab Arif, have also been included in the squad, with all three earning their maiden call-ups to the Pakistan Test team. The PCB has meanwhile released Ali Usman and Abdullah Fazal from the squad. Tayyab, Ali and Saqib recently represented the Patron’s XI in a three-day practice match against Sri Lanka at Islamabad Club from November 4 to 6. Aamir Jamal earned his recall following a series of impressive performances in domestic cricket. The all-rounder was named Player of the Final in the President’s Trophy Grade-I after producing a match-winning performance for champions Markhor IT Solutions, taking seven wickets for 32 runs and scoring 55. He also captained Lahore Whites in the opening round of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy Gold, claiming three wickets and scoring 74 and 23. Meanwhile, 19-year-old Tayyab Arif has made an impressive start to his first-class career, scoring 727 runs in seven matches for Kingsmen Academy at an average of 66.09, including three centuries. Ali Shabbir has taken 22 wickets in eight first-class appearances and also claimed three wickets against Sri Lanka in the recent practice match. Saqib Khan played a significant role in Karachi Blues’ title-winning campaign in the 2025-26 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, finishing with 47 wickets in nine matches at an average of 20.60, including best figures of seven for 34. The opening Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka will be played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from November 9, while the second Test is scheduled to take place in Lahore from November 17 to 21. Pakistan’s 16-member squad comprises Babar Azam (captain), Aamir Jamal, Ali Shabbir, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Suleman, Mohammad Taha, Muhammad Tayyab Arif, Razaullah, Saad Baig (wicketkeeper), Salman Ali Agha, Sameer Minhas, Saqib Khan and Saud Shakeel.