Fast bowler Shaheen Afridi has been included in Pakistan’s Test squad for the upcoming two-match series against Sri Lanka. The national selection committee has also chosen uncapped batter Mohammad Huraira and all-rounder Aamir Jamal in the 16-member squad. This series will mark Pakistan’s first assignment in the third cycle of the ICC World Test Championship.

The selection has been made with consideration for the conditions expected in Sri Lanka. The squad comprises four spinners, four fast bowlers, six specialist batters, and two wicket-keeper batters.

Shaheen Afridi, just one wicket away from reaching a century of Test wickets, has been a standout performer for Pakistan since his debut in December 2018. With an average of 24.86 and an economy rate of 3.04, the 23-year-old left-armer has made significant contributions to the team.

Expressing his excitement about returning to Test cricket, Shaheen Afridi said, “I am thrilled to be back in the Pakistan Test side after a year. I missed Test cricket dearly, and it was challenging for me to be away from this format. After missing the entire home season due to an injury suffered in Sri Lanka, I am eager to make a strong comeback in the same country and achieve a century of Test wickets. I want to express my gratitude to the fans who supported me during tough times, and I am ready for the challenges that lie ahead.”

Mohammad Huraira, with impressive performances in domestic cricket, has earned his spot in the squad. The 21-year-old batter from Sialkot was the leading run-scorer in the last two editions of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy. In the 2022-23 season, he amassed 1,024 runs at an average of 73.14, including four centuries and two half-centuries. His recent tour of Zimbabwe also saw him scoring significant knocks of 178 and 64.

Joining him is his teammate from Northern and Shaheens, Aamir Jamal. The 27-year-old fast bowler from Mianwali topped the wicket-takers chart for fast bowlers in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2022-23, with 31 wickets at an average of 29.71. Aamir also displayed his prowess in the recent One-Day series between Zimbabwe Select and Pakistan Shaheens, where he took 16 wickets at an average of 21.

Notably, Aamir’s remarkable performance on his Pakistan debut included defending 15 runs in the last over against England’s Moeen Ali, leading Pakistan to a thrilling six-run victory in the fifth T20 International. Aamir has experience in two T20Is, 23 first-class matches, 23 List A matches, and 20 T20 matches.

Haroon Rashid, the national men’s chief selector, congratulated the selected players, particularly Mohammad Huraira and Aamir Jamal, for their consistent performances. Rashid emphasized that the squad has been chosen with the conditions and challenges in Sri Lanka in mind, focusing on the need for both spinners and fast bowlers. He expressed confidence in the strong batting line-up and encouraged the players who missed out on selection to continue performing well in domestic cricket and Shaheens’ tours.

The Pakistan team will gather in Karachi on July 3 for a training camp before departing for Sri Lanka on July 9. The tour itinerary will be announced by Sri Lanka Cricket soon. The previous Test series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka took place in July 2022 and ended in a 1-1 draw