The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled its squad for the upcoming three-match T20 International series against Sri Lanka, marking a significant return for all-rounder Shadab Khan. However, the touring party will be without several of its biggest stars, including captain Babar Azam and pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi, who will remain in Australia to fulfil their Big Bash League (BBL) commitments.
Shadab's Comeback and Star Absences
The series, which begins on January 7, 2026, will see Shadab Khan don the Pakistan jersey for the first time since undergoing shoulder surgery in June. His recovery has been closely watched, and he recently made a competitive return in the BBL, where his performances reportedly outshone those of his fellow Pakistani players in the tournament.
Alongside Babar and Shaheen, other prominent names like Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, and Mohammad Rizwan have also been omitted from the squad. The PCB confirmed that while all these players expressed their willingness to return for national duty if called upon, the board decided against recalling them. This move honours a prior agreement with Cricket Australia to ensure the full availability of Pakistani players for the BBL season.
A New-Look Squad Under Salman Ali Agha
With the senior core absent, the 15-member squad will be led by Salman Ali Agha. The selection panel has placed its trust in the team's bench strength for this assignment. The most predictable aspect of the squad is the return of Abdul Samad. However, the major talking point is the inclusion of uncapped batter Khawaja Nafay.
Nafay's selection has raised eyebrows within cricket circles, primarily due to his modest record in domestic cricket. The surprise is amplified by the context of this series, which serves as a crucial preparatory step for the T20 World Cup next year, to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka.
World Cup Preparations and Selection Strategy
The decision to field a relatively fresh squad is particularly intriguing given that Pakistan is scheduled to play all its World Cup matches in Sri Lanka. Senior players had previously shown interest in participating in this tour to acclimatise to the local conditions. Despite this, the selectors have opted for a different path.
The full Pakistan T20I squad is as follows:
- Salman Ali Agha (captain)
- Abdul Samad
- Saim Ayub
- Sahabzada Farhan
- Fakhar Zaman
- Shadab Khan
- Faheem Ashraf
- Mohammad Nawaz
- Abrar Ahmed
- Usman Tariq
- Usman Khan
- Khawaja Nafay
- Naseem Shah
- Salman Mirza
- Mohammad Waseem Jr.
This selection underscores the PCB's strategy to manage player workload and honour its international league commitments, while simultaneously testing its depth ahead of a major global tournament. The series outcome will reveal much about the readiness of Pakistan's next line of players.
