Pakistan squad for Sri Lanka Test series announced, Shaheen Afridi and Sarfaraz Ahmed part of 16-member team

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Pakistan have announced a 16-member squad for their upcoming 2-Test series against Sri Lanka. Star pacer Shaheen Afridi, who last played in the format in July 2022 when he suffered a knee injury in a Test against Sri Lanka, has been named in the squad.

Pakistan have also decided to include two uncapped players - batter Mohammad Huraira and all-rounder Aamir Jamal - in the squad which will be led by Babar Azam. Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has been named his deputy for the series.

Former Pakistan captain Sarfaraz Ahmed has also found a place in the squad as the second wicketkeeper-batter. Shan Masood, who is currently in the UK for the County Championship 2023 and Vitality Blast 2023, has been named as well.

The likes of Abdullah Shafique, Imam-ul-Haq, Hasan Ali and Naseem Shah also feature in the squad, however, Shaheen Afridi is making all the headlines after his much-awaited comeback to Test cricket.

In a statement released by the PCB, Shaheen said on his return to Test cricket: "I am very excited to be returning to the Pakistan Test side after a year.

"I dearly missed Test cricket and it was tough for me to be away from this format.

“After missing our entire home season because of the injury I suffered in Sri Lanka, I am eager to make an impactful comeback in the same country and complete a century of wickets in Test cricket.”

The left-arm pacer has picked 99 wickets from 25 Test matches at an average of 24.86.

Pakistan will assemble in Karachi on July 3 for preparations ahead of their scheduled departure on July 9. The schedule of the tour is expected to be announced soon. The two Test matches will form a part of the ICC World Test Championship 2023-25 cycle.

Pakistan squad for Test series vs Sri Lanka: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (vc & wk), Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed (wk), Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi and Shan Masood.