Babar reveals new World Test Championship aim for Pakistan

Pakistan captain Babar Azam has admitted his side is focused on preparing for the next cycle of the ICC World Test Championship as it readies for a two-match series against Sri Lanka on home soil.

Pakistan have already dropped out of contention for next year's final at The Oval, with the side having won just two Tests across the current cycle to sit in ninth place on the standings with just four more fixtures remaining.

It has seen Pakistan turn to youth for their two-match series with Sri Lanka that commences in Rawalpindi on Monday, with a quartet of inexperienced players parachuted into their squad on Saturday for the opening Test and Babar revealed it was to try and help develop the next crop of Pakistan Test stars prior to the next World Test Championship cycle that runs from 2027-2029.

"We are pretty much out of the WTC this year, so we're looking forward to the next one," Babar said.

"We've got more than half a dozen new players. Young talent that is performing domestically. We're looking to the future and tried to inject different kinds of players. We won't talk about what has happened in the past again, just learn from it and tell the newcomers how we want to play now.

"Our team is quite young. We've tried to make a better combination of seniors and juniors. We'll give youngsters opportunities to express themselves and perform well, and to take our team to the next level."

Time is also running out for Sri Lanka this World Test Championship cycle, with the island nation currently occupying seventh place on the standings ahead of the Pakistan series in what will be Kusal Mendis' first tour as captain since he took over from Dhananjaya de Silva.

While Sri Lanka have won just once this cycle, Mendis has been impressed by recent performances from his side and is not concerned by the potential prospect of slightly different conditions for the Rawalpindi encounter.

"We know they will be giving a little bit different wicket," Mendis said when asked about the conditions for the first Test. 

"I think the batters have to manage our skills and preparation well. I know we have a very good batting line-up with some very senior players... Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, myself, and a couple of other guys.

"Everyone knows how to play on a green wicket. We played really well in England also (in 2024), so I have no doubt in my batting line-up."

Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Aamer Jamal, Ali Shabbir, Arafat Minhas, Azan Awais, Mohammad Abbas, Mohammad Ghazi Ghori, Mohammad Suleman, Mohammad Taha, Muhammad Tayyab Arif, Razaullah, Saad Baig, Salman Ali Agha, Sameer Minhas, Saqib Khan, Saud Shakeel

Sri Lanka squad: Kusal Mendis (c), Anjala Bandara, Dinesh Chandimal, Dhananjaya de Silva, Sonal Dinusha, Asitha Fernando, Prabath Jayasuriya, Lahiru Kumara, Dilshan Madushanka, Eshan Malinga, Kamindu Mendis, Keshara Nuwantha, Milan Rathnayake, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Lahiru Udara

Series schedule:

First Test: 9-13 November, Rawalpindi
Second Test: 17-21 November, Lahore