Shan Masood Expected to Miss Upcoming Home Tests Against Sri Lanka - Tapmad

Shan Masood could be unavailable for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, as he is expected to spend the next two to three weeks recovering from a calf injury. The left-handed batter picked up the problem while playing for Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) in a President’s Trophy Grade-I fixture. He felt pain in his left calf during the match and will now sit out the tournament’s final round. The injury is not considered serious, according to reports. Masood is expected to resume playing once he completes his rehabilitation, but the recovery period could leave him short of time to get ready for the Sri Lanka series. Pakistan and Sri Lanka will play the first Test at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from November 9, followed by the second match at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, starting on November 17. Both games are part of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27. Masood’s possible absence comes a few months after he lost the Test captaincy in July, with Babar Azam taking over as Pakistan captain. Masood became the skipper before Pakistan travelled to Australia in 2023. That tour ended in a 3-0 defeat for the green shirts, and his time in charge brought mixed results. He led the side in 16 Tests, recording four wins and 12 losses, giving him a 25% win rate. Pakistan also struggled at home during his captaincy, losing 2-0 to Bangladesh. Their best result came against England in 2024, when they secured a 2-1 series win on home soil. Meanwhile, before the Test series begins, Sri Lanka will also play a three-day warm-up match in Islamabad from 4 to 6 November. The team will then face Pakistan in Rawalpindi and Lahore in back-to-back Test matches. Pakistan vs Sri Lanka Test Series 2026 Schedule 4–6 November: Three-day warm-up match, Islamabad 9–13 November: First Test, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi 17–21 November: Second Test, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore