The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced an 18-member squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka, slated to take place next month.

Leg-spinner Yasir Shah, all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz and Shan Masood have returned to the Test squad, as chief selector Muhammad Wasim announced on Wednesday.

Yasir Shah was instrumental in Pakistan’s 2-1 victory over Sri Lanka on their last tour of the island in 2015, grabbing 24 wickets at 19.33. He comes back into the side after regaining full fitness. Yasir played his 46th and most recent Test against the West Indies in August 2021.

Pakistan would travel to Sri Lank on July 6 for a two-match Test series, which will be part of the ICC Men’s World Test Championship Cycle of 2021-2023.

Series schedule

The national squad will converge in Islamabad on 25 June to finalise their preparations for the Test series at the Pindi Cricket Stadium with a seven-day camp that stretches from 26 June to 2 July before departing for Sri Lanka on 6 July.

Pakistan will play a three-day warm-up match between 11-13 July. The first Test will be played at Galle from 16 July, while the second Test will be staged at Colombo from 24 July.

Pakistan squad for Sri Lanka Tests

Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan (vice-captain, wicketkeeper), Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Fawad Alam, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Nauman Ali, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicketkeeper), Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi, Shan Masood and Yasir Shah