Fast bowler Shaheen Afridi has been selected to join Pakistan’s Test squad for the upcoming away series against Sri Lanka. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced this on Saturday. The squad includes Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Huraira, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah, Noman Ali, Salman Ali Agha, Sarfaraz Ahmed as wicketkeeper, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Afridi, and Shan Masood. The selection committee has chosen a well-rounded team, consisting of both experienced players and newcomers. Mohammad Huraira and Aamir Jamal are new in the team. The team has been chosen based on the conditions they will face in Sri Lanka, with four spinners, four fast bowlers, six specialist batters, and two keeper-batters.
The series will be Pakistan’s first assignment in the third cycle of the ICC World Test Championship. Shaheen Afridi, who is just one wicket away from reaching a century of Test wickets, expressed his excitement to be back in the Test side and is eager to make an impact in the series. The squad will assemble in Karachi on July 3 for a training camp before departing for Sri Lanka on July 9.