LAHORE (Kashmir English): Pakistan have released left-arm wrist spinner Sufiyan Muqeem from the national squad, allowing him to return to domestic cricket.
Meanwhile, left-handed batter Maaz Sadaqat has been called up as a replacement amid minor injury concerns in the team.
According to the team update, Muqeem will now resume his domestic commitments after being released from the squad.
Sadaqat’s inclusion is aimed at providing additional batting cover while the team management monitors the fitness of players dealing with minor injuries.
The young batter will get an opportunity to join the national setup and prove his ability if called upon.
The latest changes come as Pakistan continues its preparations for upcoming cricket assignments. The team management is expected to assess the injured players before making decisions about the final playing combination.
PCB announces squad for Pakistan-Sri Lanka Test series
Pakistan on Saturday announced an initial 14-member Test squad for the upcoming two-match ICC World Test Championship series against Sri Lanka.
Sameer Minhas, Mohammad Taha and Mohammad Suleman received their maiden call-ups following impressive performances in first-class cricket. Ex-skipper Shan Masood has been dropped.
The series will be played in Rawalpindi and Lahore from 9 to 21 November.
Babar Azam will continue to lead the Test side, while Abdullah Fazal, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, wicketkeepers Mohammad Ghazi Ghori and Saad Baig, Razaullah and Saud Shakeel have retained their places.
Left-arm spinner Ali Usman and batter Salman Ali Agha have also been included in the squad.
The selectors will pick two fast bowlers from the PCB Patron’s XI for the Test squad after the conclusion of the three-day warm-up match against Sri Lanka, scheduled for November 4-6 at Islamabad Club.
Left-handed batter Mohammad Taha, 26, is the leading run-scorer in the President’s Trophy Grade-I first-class tournament, which began in September. He has scored 730 runs in seven matches, including three centuries and a highest score of 225.
Mohammad Suleman ranks fifth on the tournament’s batting charts, having accumulated 652 runs in seven matches, also with three centuries.
Sameer Minhas, playing his maiden first-class season, has scored 405 runs in seven matches after an encouraging stint with Pakistan’s Under-19 side.
Pakistan Test squad
Babar Azam (captain), Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Suleman, Mohammad Taha, Razaullah, Saad Baig (wicketkeeper), Salman Ali Agha, Sameer Minhas and Saud Shakeel.
Pakistan-Sri Lanka Test series schedule
November 9-13: First Test, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi.
November 17-21: Second Test, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore.
