Naseem added as replacement for Rauf
Haris Rauf has been ruled out of the upcoming Test series against Australia after testing positive for Covid-19. Naseem Shah, initially a travelling reserve, has been included in the squad as replacement. Pakistan are already without Hasan Ali and Faheem Ashraf, both of whom are recovering from injuries.
Updated squad: Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (vc & wk), Abdullah Shafique, Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Naseem Shah, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Nauman Ali, Sajid Khan, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, and Zahid Mahmood
Spectators allowed for Mohali Test
The BCCI has confirmed that spectators up to 50 percent of the stadium capacity will be allowed for the first Test between India and Sri Lanka. This is going to be the 100th Test appearance for Virat Kohli. The second Test, a day-night match, will be played in Bengaluru from 12 March.
'The first Test between India and Sri Lanka to be played at the Punjab Cricket Stadium in Mohali will not be held behind closed doors. The decision to allow spectators into the ground is one taken by the State Cricketing Associations and in the present circumstances, is based on various factors,' said BCCI secretary Jay Shah.
India, New Zealand to tour Ireland this year
India, South Africa, New Zealand, and Afghanistan will tour Ireland for white-ball matches later this year. The Irish summer will begin with two T20Is against India, followed by three ODIs and as many T20Is against New Zealand. In August, South Africa will play two T20Is, while the schedule for the series against Afghanistan will be announced later.
'We are delighted to welcome back India Men's team for the first time since 2018, as well as the number one-ranked ODI side - the Black Caps, who were last here in 2017,' Warren Deutrom, Chief Executive of Cricket Ireland, said.
South Africa beat New Zealand by 198 runs
South Africa levelled the two-match series with a 198-run win over South Africa in Christchurch. Devon Conway top-scored with 91, but the others could not do much as New Zealand were bowled out for 227.
Kagiso Rabada, Marco Jansen, and Keshav Maharaj picked up three wickets each. Rabada finished the game with eight wickets and a brisk cameo to be adjudged Player of the Match.