Pakistan axe Shan Masood from Sri Lanka Test squad as Agha, Rizwan return

What the report says

Pakistan has named a revamped 14-player Test squad for its upcoming two-match series against Sri Lanka, dropping Shan Masood while bringing back Salman Agha and Ali Usman, according to Al Jazeera’s reporting based on AFP. The squad was announced on 25 October 2026 for matches in Rawalpindi and Lahore in November.

Agha returns after being omitted from the recent T20 side against Sri Lanka and after Pakistan’s difficult England tour, when he was one of several players sent home. He has since strengthened his case by scoring a century in the ongoing ODI series against Sri Lanka. Usman, a left-arm spinner, also comes back after being sent home before the third Test in England. Mohammad Rizwan, another player removed from the England tour, remains out of the Test setup.

Babar Azam will continue as captain. The squad also includes several uncapped batters, including Mohammad Taha, Sameer Minhas and Mohammad Suleman, reflecting a push toward newer domestic performers. Al Jazeera noted that Pakistan enter the series ninth and last in the World Test Championship standings, while Sri Lanka are seventh.

The changes come after Pakistan’s 3-0 defeat in England and appear aimed at resetting the Test side ahead of a key home series. Because the article does not give a detailed explanation for every selection decision, the broader context is that national squads often shift after poor results and in response to form in domestic or limited-overs cricket.