{
  "id": 18928377,
  "title": "Rawalpindi Test: Babar Azam eyes fresh start as revamped Pakistan face Sri Lanka",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/08/rawalpindi-test-babar-azam-eyes-fresh-start-as-revamped-pakistan-face",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-08T11:02:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Gulf News",
    "slug": "gulf-news",
    "url": "https://gulfnews.com/sport/cricket/rawalpindi-test-babar-azam-eyes-fresh-start-as-revamped-pakistan-face-sri-lanka-1.500740210"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Rawalpindi will host the first Test match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka, commencing on Monday, following their recent defeat against England. This series marks the first of its kind for Pakistan since their 3-0 series loss to England in September, during which seven players were sent home. Head coach Sarfaraz Ahmed, bowling coach Umar Gul, and white-ball coach Mike Hesson were also removed from their positions during the overhaul. Only Salman Agha and Aamer Jamal were retained from the previous squad, with five players who participated in the final Test in Edgbaston being dropped. Seniors Mohammad Rizwan, Shan Masood, and the spin duo of Sajid Khan and Noman Ali were left out.\n\nBabar Azam, the captain, expressed his intention to start afresh with the revamped Pakistan team in the upcoming Test. He also aims to regain his batting form after a period of 40 Test innings without a century, his last Test century being scored against New Zealand in Karachi in December 2022. Azam, who was reappointed as skipper in July, is confident that his inclusion in the squad will improve his performance in the forthcoming matches.\n\nThe two-match series is part of the World Test Championship's fourth cycle, with Pakistan ranked ninth and Sri Lanka seventh. The second Test is scheduled to be played in Lahore on November 17. Sri Lanka, like Pakistan, is also attempting to revitalize their Test cricket, with white-ball captain Kusal Mendis taking over as captain from Dhananjaya de Silva last month. Mendis expressed his excitement and readiness to lead the team in the upcoming challenge.",
  "summary": "Azam says new Pakistan Test squad ready to fight against Sri Lanka",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Dawn",
        "title": "Babar Azam says selection not in his hands as youthful Pakistan face Sri Lanka",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/08/babar-azam-says-selection-not-in-his-hands-as-youthful-pakistan-face",
        "published": "2026-11-08T08:37:31.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Azam says new Pakistan Test squad ready to fight against Sri Lanka",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/08/azam-says-new-pakistan-test-squad-ready-to-fight-against-sri-lanka",
        "published": "2026-11-08T09:18:44.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}