Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Test Series Squads: Babar Leads Fresh Faces, Kusal Mendis New Captain

Pakistan and Sri Lanka will meet in a two Test series in November 2026, and both squads show a clear mix of experience and fresh faces. Babar Azam leads Pakistan, while Kusal Mendis leads Sri Lanka as the new all format captain. The series forms part of the World Test Championship, and the two Tests will test depth, discipline and home advantage in Rawalpindi and Lahore.

The schedule gives both teams a warm up before the first Test, with a three day match in Islamabad from 4 November to 6 November. The first Test follows in Rawalpindi from 9 November to 13 November, and the second Test follows in Lahore from 17 November to 21 November. This article sets out both squads, the key changes and what the series means in the World Test Championship race.

Series Dates and Venues

The series opens with a three day warm up in Islamabad from 4 November to 6 November, which gives new players time to adjust to conditions before Test cricket begins. Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium will host the first Test from 9 November to 13 November, and Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore will host the second Test from 17 November to 21 November. The gap between the Tests allows recovery, travel and fresh selection calls.

Sri Lanka enter the series in seventh place in the World Test Championship standings, while Pakistan sit in ninth place. A series win would lift either side and build momentum in a long championship race, so every session in Rawalpindi and Lahore carries weight. Home conditions, reverse swing and spin in the later days could shape both Tests.

Pakistan Squad

Babar Azam leads the initial 14 member Pakistan squad, and the group shows a clear mix of senior players and fresh faces. Saud Shakeel and Salman Ali Agha bring experience to the middle order, while new names such as Azan Awais, Abdullah Fazal and Mohammad Suleman give selectors fresh options for home conditions.

The wicketkeepers in the group are Mohammad Ghazi Ghori and Saad Baig, while Mohammad Abbas adds pace experience. Ali Usman, Arafat Minhas, Mohammad Taha, Razaullah and Sameer Minhas complete the initial 14, so the squad has depth across the order and a clear chance for new players to press a claim in the warm up match.

Sri Lanka Squad

Kusal Mendis leads the 15 member Sri Lanka squad as the new all format captain, after Dhananjaya de Silva stepped down as Test skipper. Dinesh Chandimal and Kamindu Mendis bring experience, while Pathum Nissanka returns subject to fitness after missing the Sri Lanka tour of India in August with a wrist injury.

The squad also includes Anjala Bandara, Sonal Dinusha, Asitha Fernando, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga, Keshara Nuwantha, Milan Rathnayaka and Pasindu Sooriyabandara, alongside Dhananjaya de Silva. That mix gives Kusal Mendis pace, spin and batting depth for two Tests in Pakistan conditions.

New Faces and WTC Stakes

Dilshan Madushanka earns a recall, while Eshan Malinga and Anjala Bandara earn call-ups in the Sri Lanka group. Lahiru Udara misses out despite 188 against West Indies in June, and Niroshan Dickwella is excluded. Those calls show a clear push toward fresh pace and new batting depth for the tour.

The World Test Championship stakes add weight to both Tests. Sri Lanka sit seventh and Pakistan sit ninth, so a series win would lift either side and build momentum in a long race. Home advantage, reverse swing and spin in the later days could decide key sessions in Rawalpindi and Lahore.

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