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ICC World Test Championship: news, facts and key points

6 stories · latest 07 Nov 2026 · View the tournament page

Key points from the latest coverage

Pakistan Add Aamir Jamal and Three Uncapped Players to Test Squad for Sri Lanka Series

Pakistan added Aamir Jamal, Ali Shabbir, Saqib Khan and Muhammad Tayyab Arif to their Test squad for the Sri Lanka series on November 7, 2026.
The revised Pakistan squad has 16 players, with Babar Azam continuing as captain.
Ali Shabbir, Saqib Khan and Muhammad Tayyab Arif have earned maiden international call-ups.
Ali Usman and Abdullah Fazal have been released from the original 14-member squad.
The first Test begins in Rawalpindi on November 9, with the second Test scheduled in Lahore from November 17 to 21.

Bangladesh Need Four Wins and a Draw From Six Tests to Keep WTC Final Hopes Alive

Bangladesh sit fourth in the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 standings ahead of their home series against West Indies, according to the ICC’s October 23 update.
Bangladesh have six Tests remaining in the cycle: two against West Indies at home, two away against South Africa and two at home against England.
A report published on October 27 says Bangladesh need at least four wins and one draw from their remaining six Tests to secure a place in the final.
The first Test against West Indies is scheduled for October 28 to November 1 in Mirpur.
The second Test is scheduled for November 5 to 9 in Sylhet.

Pathum Nissanka Ruled Out of Pakistan Tests as Sri Lanka Call Up Lahiru Udara

Pathum Nissanka has been ruled out of Sri Lanka’s two-Test series against Pakistan because of a left hamstring injury.
Sri Lanka Cricket’s selection committee named Lahiru Udara as Nissanka’s replacement.
Nissanka sustained the injury during Sri Lanka’s white-ball tour of England in September.
Udara has played five Tests for Sri Lanka and scored 188 against West Indies in 2026.
The first Test is scheduled for Rawalpindi from November 9 to 13, with the second in Lahore from November 17 to 21.

Did you know? Facts about ICC World Test Championship

Aamir Jamal has represented Pakistan in nine Tests, three ODIs and six T20Is. Read the story →
Muhammad Tayyab Arif scored 727 runs in seven first-class matches at an average of 66.09, including three centuries, according to the PCB/ICC squad update. Read the story →
Ali Shabbir took 22 wickets in eight first-class matches, while Saqib Khan claimed 47 wickets in the 2025-26 Quaid-e-Azam Trophy at an average of 20.60. Read the story →
Jamal’s performance in the President’s Trophy final included both a seven-wicket haul and a half-century, helping Markhor IT Solutions win the title. Read the story →
Bangladesh have never qualified for a World Test Championship final. Read the story →
Bangladesh drew their recent two-Test series in Australia after recording a historic Test victory during the tour. Read the story →
Najmul Hossain Shanto is Bangladesh’s leading run-scorer in the current WTC cycle with 647 runs, as listed in the ICC’s October 23 update. Read the story →
Taijul Islam leads Bangladesh’s wicket-takers in the cycle with 24 wickets, according to the same ICC update. Read the story →
Udara is already in Pakistan with Sri Lanka’s ODI squad, so he does not need to travel from home to join the Test group. Read the story →
Udara’s 188 against West Indies in Antigua was his career-best Test score. Read the story →
Nissanka also missed Sri Lanka’s recent T20I series and ODI tri-series in Pakistan because of the same injury. Read the story →
Sri Lanka’s updated Test squad contains 15 players, with Kusal Mendis named captain. Read the story →

All stories on ICC World Test Championship

Pakistan Add Aamir Jamal and Three Uncapped Players to Test Squad for Sri Lanka Series

Pakistan have expanded their Test squad to 16 for the two-match World Test Championship series against Sri Lanka, adding Aamir Jamal, Ali Shabbir, Saqib Khan and Muhammad Tayyab Arif. The three uncapped players earn maiden international call-ups, while Ali Usman and Abdullah Fazal have been released

Bangladesh Need Four Wins and a Draw From Six Tests to Keep WTC Final Hopes Alive

Bangladesh enter their two-Test home series against West Indies in fourth place in the 2025–27 World Test Championship table. With six Tests remaining, the Tigers need a strong finish to chase a first-ever final appearance.

Pathum Nissanka Ruled Out of Pakistan Tests as Sri Lanka Call Up Lahiru Udara

Sri Lanka opener Pathum Nissanka will miss the two-Test series against Pakistan after failing to recover from a left hamstring injury. Lahiru Udara has been named as his replacement.

🟢 Confirmed · Sportstar

Kagiso Rabada’s Likely Return Poses Fresh Test for Australia in Gqeberha

Kagiso Rabada is closing in on a return for South Africa’s second Test against Australia after missing the opener with a hamstring injury. Australia assistant coach Matthew Wade has warned that the fast bowler’s aggression and competitiveness will pose a serious challenge.

West Indies Rest Shai Hope, Withdraw Alzarri Joseph for Bangladesh Tests; Kevin Wickham Earns Call-Up

West Indies have named a 15-member squad for their two-Test tour of Bangladesh, resting Shai Hope and withdrawing fast bowler Alzarri Joseph following a medical assessment. Barbados batter Kevin Wickham earns his maiden Test call-up after an impressive run in domestic cricket, while John Campbell re

🟢 Official · ICC

Hasan Mahmud Reflects on Historic Test Hat-Trick for Bangladesh

Bangladesh fast bowler Hasan Mahmud became the first Bangladeshi pacer to claim a Test hat-trick against Afghanistan in Abu Dhabi. His historic spell helped Bangladesh take control of the one-off Test.

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Pakistan Sri Lanka Bangladesh Australia West Indies South Africa England Litton Das