{
  "id": 16333728,
  "title": "Former skipper Shan Masood axed as Pakistan turn to youth for Sri Lanka Tests",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/24/former-skipper-shan-masood-axed-as-pakistan-turn-to-youth-for-sri",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-24T14:23:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Dawn",
    "slug": "dawn",
    "url": "https://www.dawn.com/news/2039501/former-skipper-shan-masood-axed-as-pakistan-turn-to-youth-for-sri-lanka-tests"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Pakistan has removed former captain Shan Masood from their squad for the upcoming two-match ICC World Test Championship series against Sri Lanka, opting instead to rely on younger players and domestic performers. Babar Azam continues as the team's captain, while three batters — Mohammad Taha, Mohammad Suleman, and Sameer Minhas — make their Test debuts. Ali Usman and Salman Ali Agha are also included in the 14-member squad for the series set to take place in Rawalpindi and Lahore from November 9 to 21. Shan's absence signifies a significant shift in Pakistan's top order, as the selectors seek to focus on emerging talent amid the team's recent struggles in the current World Test Championship cycle.",
  "summary": "Pakistan have dropped former Test captain Shan Masood as selectors turn to youth and domestic performers for the two-match ICC World Test Championship series against Sri Lanka, with Babar Azam retaining the captaincy of a revamped 14-member squad announced by the country’s cricket board on Saturday. Three batters — Mohammad Taha, Mohammad Suleman and Sameer Minhas — have earned maiden Test…",
  "key_points": [
    "Shan Masood removed from Pakistan squad for Sri Lanka Tests",
    "Babar Azam remains Pakistan captain for Test series",
    "Three batters debut in Test matches against Sri Lanka"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Channel News Asia",
        "title": "Agha returns to Pakistan squad for Sri Lanka tests",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/24/agha-returns-to-pakistan-squad-for-sri-lanka-tests",
        "published": "2026-10-24T14:23:54.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Winnipeg Free Press",
        "title": "Agha and Usman get test recall for Pakistan’s two matches against Sri Lanka",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/24/agha-and-usman-get-test-recall-for-pakistans-two-matches-against-sri",
        "published": "2026-10-24T14:39:18.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "Daily Times",
        "title": "Pakistan name fresh faces for Sri Lanka Tests",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/24/pakistan-name-fresh-faces-for-sri-lanka-tests",
        "published": "2026-10-24T17:13:09.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}