Wahab Riaz has been added back to the team for the upcoming Test series against Sri Lanka, Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chief selector Inzamam-ul-Haq announced as he revealed the squad for the upcoming series in a press conference on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Ahmad Shahzad and Mohammad Rizwan have been dropped from the team.

Inzamam announced a 16-member squad for the two-Test series that starts on Sept 28.

Pakistan team: Sarfraz Ahmed (c), Azhar Ali, Shan Masood, Sami Aslam, Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq, Haris Sohail, Usman Salahuddin, Yasir Shah, Mohammad Asghar, Bilal Asif, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Abbas, Wahab Riaz

Explaining Yasir Shah and Azhar Ali's selection, who previously suffered fitness problems, Inzamam said that both had cleared the fitness test.

"We told Yasir that he will not be selected if he does not clear the fitness test," he said. "Even though no bowler has been as successful as Yasir in the Test format, but we had to uphold the standards that were set.

"Azhar has a cyst in his knee but after taking injections that were prescribed by the doctors, he is fine and can play now."

The series comes after the Independence Cup between Pakistan and the World XI that was held in Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore earlier this month.

A 'winning start'

Pakistan cricket team captain Sarfaraz Ahmed said that the team will try to play towards a "winning start" in the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka.

In a separate press conference on Saturday, the Pakistani skipper said that "nothing would be better" for him than contributing to the team's victory by scoring a century in his debut Test as captain.

However, he stressed that a captain cannot operate alone and added that leading a Test side is difficult compared to other formats. He also praised the Sri Lankan team while saying the expectation is for them to be tough opponents.

Talking about the selection process, he echoed Inzamam's words and said that players were selected based on their fitness.

"Yasir Shah cleared his fitness test and Azhar Ali will be fine and fit to play the first match. He has been examined by the doctors."

Sarfaraz expressed his confidence in the selected players and claimed that it was "balanced".

"There are both spinners and fast bowlers [in the squad]," he said. "And we will take a strong middle order as that is crucial in the Test format."

"I am not special," he insisted, when asked how he had managed to improve the team's performance. "The players are very good and are constantly improving and learning from their mistakes."

When asked about the challenges of captaincy, Sarfaraz admitted that leading Pakistan was hard, but said that he tries to learn from his predecessors.

"Moin Khan has always been my ideal and I've always looked up to him as captain," he revealed. "But I have always said that the way Misbah led the team was exemplary. He was made captain at a very challenging time and picking the team up was not easy. I always try to learn from his decision making."

He added that he does not think about how long he will play. "Right now I am setting short term goals for myself. I want to take one step at a time."

The Pakistani captain said that the relationship between the team and the chief selector was friendly and claimed that everyone in the management and the team was on the same page.

"Our only goal is to improve Pakistan's cricket," he said.

Pakistan vs India at home

Sarfaraz also lauded the PCB for arranging the recent three-match Twenty20 Independence Cup against the World XI in Lahore earlier this month.

"PCB deserves praise and congratulations along with the [security] agencies and forces for reviving international cricket in Pakistan."

He expressed hope that the Independence Cup will pave the way for more teams to visit Pakistan, including the Indian side.

"I am sure the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) will consider sending the Indian team here [after the Independence Cup]," he said. "Their players are interested in playing here as well."

Recalling the final match of the International Cricket Council's Champions' Trophy, which was the last time Pakistan played against India, he claimed that he will never be able to forget the match.

"The match will always be memorable to everyone who played," he claimed.

Fresh talent

The wicket-keeper admitted that players needed improvement and new players should be given a chance. Playing domestic cricket was important for both players in the international team as well as the newcomers.

"If we play domestic cricket, new players will be able to learn from us and fresh talent will emerge," he said.