Opening batsmen Ahmed Shehzad and Shan Masood has made a comeback to the Test squad while ace spinner Saeed Ajmal is dropped as Pakistan announces a 15-member squad for the upcoming tour of Sri Lanka. Ahmed Shehzad, aged 23, was dropped from the Test and One-day International sides over disciplinary issues during the World Cup-2015. He was last appeared in November 2014, scoring 176 against New Zealand in Abu Dhabi. Opening batsman Shan Masood also made a comeback.
However, spinner Saeed Ajmal was axed from the side after failing to find his old rhythm with a remodelled action. Ajmal has played only two one-day internationals and a T20, produced only one wicket in 22.3 overs and conceded runs at 6.57 per over since his return. Yasir Shah, Zulfiqar Babar and Mohammad Hafeez will look to fill the void left by Ajmal in conditions which have traditionally suited spin bowling.
Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Shaharyar Mohammad Khan has approved the Test squad for the forthcoming three-Test away series against Sri Lanka following the recommendation of the four-member selection committee headed by Haroon Rashid. In naming the test squad, the selection committee had also consulted with the Pakistan team management including Head Coach Waqar Younis and skipper Misbah-ul-Haq. Chief Selector Haroon Rashid said, "While selecting the squad, the selection committee considered the following key areas: Suitability to play in varied playing conditions; potential to perform at international level; current form and fitness and performance in the previous tours of Bangladesh and recently concluded Pakistan 'A' team's tour of Sri Lanka; feedback from the team management on the performance of players on Bangladesh tour.
"Fawad Alam, Sami Aslam and some other players were also under consideration but could not be included but they remain on the selectors radar. Rahat Ali, Sohail Khan and Sohaib Maqsood are still on the rehab after sustaining injuries and it is hoped that they would be available for selection in the near future. Selection committee has also kept its options open in case of need for the 16th member keeping in mind the extreme weather conditions in Sri Lanka," he said. The squad is: Mohammad Hafeez, Ahmed Shehzad, Shan Masood, Azhar Ali (Vice-Captain), Misbah-ul-Haq (Captain), Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Sarfraz Ahmed (Wicket keeper), Yasir Shah, Zulfiqar Babar, Wahab Riaz, Junaid Khan, Imran Khan, Ehsan Adil.