Pakistan have overhauled their Test squad less than 48 hours before the series opener against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi, dropping two players while drafting four additions into a revised 16-man squad.In a clear strategic shift away from spin-heavy tracks, spinner Ali Usman and opener Abdullah Fazal have both been released from the squad without an official explanation from the PCB. Usman’s exit—his second release from a squad in consecutive Tests—underscores head coach Mike Hesson’s preference for multi-skilled options, leaving all-rounder Arafat Minhas as the sole primary spin-bowling option in the squad.
To bolster their seam attack and avoid playing into Sri Lanka’s spin strengths, Pakistan have added seam-bowling all-rounder Aamer Jamal, 20-year-old batter Tayyab Arif, and uncapped fast bowlers Ali Shabbir and Saqib Khan. The tactical pivot comes as bottom-placed Pakistan seek a crucial turnaround in their World Test Championship campaign, with the first Test starting in Rawalpindi on November 9 before heading to Lahore for the second fixture on November 17.
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