Pakistan vs Sri Lanka First Test: Rawalpindi Preview, Squads and What to Watch on 9 November

Pakistan's Test revival starts in Rawalpindi on Monday 9 November 2026, when the first Test against Sri Lanka begins at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The match runs from 9 to 13 November, with play reported to start at 9:30 am PKT each day, and the second Test follows from 17 to 21 November at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. Both Tests count for the ICC World Test Championship 2025-27.

Pakistan's new-look squad

The Pakistan Cricket Board named an initial 14-member squad on 24 October, with Babar Azam as captain. Three uncapped batters earned first Test call-ups: Sameer Minhas, Mohammad Taha and Mohammad Suleman. Former captain Shan Masood is not in the squad, and neither are Mohammad Rizwan and Imam-ul-Haq. The spin pair of Sajid Khan and Noman Ali are also missing. The rest of the squad: Abdullah Fazal, Ali Usman, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ghazi Ghori and Saad Baig as wicketkeeping options, Razaullah, Salman Ali Agha and Saud Shakeel. Two more fast bowlers will be added after the three-day warm-up match between a PCB Patron's XI and Sri Lanka at the Islamabad Club, played from 4 to 6 November.

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Sri Lanka's squad

Kusal Mendis will captain Sri Lanka in Tests for the first time, after taking over from Dhananjaya de Silva, who remains in the squad alongside Dinesh Chandimal, Kamindu Mendis, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara, Asitha Fernando, Dilshan Madushanka and Eshan Malinga, whose selection is subject to fitness clearance. Pathum Nissanka was ruled out of the series with a hamstring injury, and Lahiru Udara replaces him. Sri Lanka named a 15-player squad on 13 October.

What to watch

First, Babar Azam's form. The captain made 28 and 42 for Lahore Whites against FATA in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, falling short in both innings, as reported in FATA Beat Lahore Whites by 241 Runs. He leads a side in transition, and a home series is the clearest place to reset. Second, the new opening pair. The Express Tribune reported on 4 November that head coach Mike Hesson has asked for pace-friendly tracks at both venues and that Azan Awais and Abdullah Fazal are the leading contenders to open. That report is not a PCB announcement, so treat it as the likely direction, not a confirmed XI. Third, the debutants. Three uncapped batters in a 14-man squad means at least one debut is likely in Rawalpindi. Fourth, the World Test Championship table. Sri Lanka sit seventh with a points percentage of 33.33, while Pakistan are bottom at 4.63, so both sides need points from this series.

How Pakistan arrive

Pakistan come into the Tests after winning the ODI tri-series at home, with Salman Ali Agha making 107 in the series opener and Saad Baig 74 in the final, while Arafat Minhas made 61 off 31 in the final, as reported in Pakistan Seal Sri Lanka T20I Series 2-1. In the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Mohammad Rizwan answered his Test axing with an unbeaten 200 for Peshawar Blues, as reported in Mohammad Rizwan Hits Unbeaten 200. Rizwan is not in the Test squad, so the Rawalpindi XI will be judged on its new faces.

Sources: Pakistan Cricket Board squad announcement, 24 October 2026, as reported by The SB Cricket and IPL.com; Sri Lanka Cricket Test squad release, 13 October 2026, as reported by IPL.com; PakEra, Pakistan Next Match: 1st Test vs Sri Lanka on 9 November; The Express Tribune, 4 November 2026, pace-friendly tracks and new openers report, as reported by Najam Sports; Cricbuzz, PAK vs SL 1st Test squads and schedule.