Babar says selectors decide squad as Pakistan prepare for Sri Lanka Tests

“Babar Azam says selectors and coaches hold responsibility for squad selection as Pakistan prepare for a two-Test home series against Sri Lanka.”

— Editorial Team

Key points

Babar Azam says selectors and coaches hold responsibility for squad selection as Pakistan prepare for a two-Test home series against Sri Lanka.
He says the side is rebuilding with a blend of experienced players and younger talent after a difficult World Test Championship campaign.

Sports|By Editorial Team|Published 9 hours ago

Pakistan captain Babar Azam has said squad selection is the responsibility of the selectors and coaching staff as the national side prepares to begin a two-Test home series against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi on November 9.

Speaking before the opening match, Babar said he had been handed a 15-member squad and his task was to field the available players, seek performances from them and make the side competitive. He said he offers input when required, but final selection decisions are made jointly by the selectors and coach.

The series comes after Pakistan’s difficult campaign in the current World Test Championship cycle. Pakistan are bottom of the 2025-27 standings with a points percentage of 4.63 after nine matches, having won two and lost seven, while slow over-rate penalties have cost the side 19 points.

Babar said the team had begun looking beyond its immediate position in the standings and towards the next Test Championship cycle. He said management had introduced a mix of senior and younger players to give emerging cricketers an opportunity while preserving experienced support within the side.

The squad includes several uncapped or relatively inexperienced players selected after domestic performances, including Sameer Minhas, Mohammad Taha, Mohammad Suleman, Azan Awais and Arafat Minhas. Aamir Jamal, Ali Shabbir, Saqib Khan and Mohammad Tayyab Arif are also among the newer additions, while Saud Shakeel, Salman Ali Agha and Mohammad Abbas are expected to guide the younger group.

Pakistan enter the series after a 3-0 defeat in England but recently beat Sri Lanka in the ODI tri-series final. Babar said that white-ball success had improved confidence and that young players had brought fresh energy into the camp.

The captain is also seeking a return to form in Tests, having last scored a century in the format against New Zealand in Karachi in December 2022. Pakistan have won 23 of their 59 previous Tests against Sri Lanka, with the first match scheduled in Rawalpindi from November 9 to 13 and the second in Lahore from November 17 to 21.