Shadab Khan Returns, Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi Rested as Pakistan Names T20 Squad for Sri Lanka

Pakistan has recalled all-rounder Shadab Khan to the T20I squad, while Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi have been rested, as the national selectors announced a 15-member team for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka.

The squad will be led by Salman Ali Agha, who set a record this year by featuring in 34 T20Is, the most by any Pakistan player in a single calendar year. Shadab, 27, returns after shoulder surgery and a successful rehabilitation, currently showcasing his skills in Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL).

Babar and Shaheen’s absence is part of a rotation strategy, not a permanent exclusion, as both continue to play in the BBL. The approach allows selectors to experiment with combinations ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.

The squad also includes uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Khawaja Nafay, 23, who impressed in domestic T20s with a strike rate of 132.81, earning his first senior call-up.

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Pakistan will depart for Sri Lanka in the first week of January, with all T20Is scheduled at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium on January 7, 9, and 11.

Pakistan T20 Squad: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmad, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk), Usman Tariq.