Pakistan name new-look T20I squad for Sri Lanka series as stars miss out
Shadab Khan returns to the side after recovering from injury; Nafay set to make his debut
By Alam Zeb Safi
LAHORE: Pakistan will travel to Sri Lanka next month with a reshaped squad for a three-match Twenty20 International series, leaving out several of their biggest names as preparations continue for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
Former captain Babar Azam, fast bowlers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan have all been rested from the series as they are busy in Australia’s Big Bash League. Their absence opens the door for new and returning faces as Pakistan test their depth ahead of the global tournament, which begins on February 7.
Uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Khawaja Nafay is the standout inclusion, earning his first call-up to the national T20 side. He is joined by the returning all-rounder Shadab Khan, who is back after recovering from injury, while Salman Ali Agha has been named captain for the series.
Selectors have opted for a 15-man squad that blends experience with youth, signalling the team management’s intention to finalise combinations and identify backups before the World Cup. Alongside Shadab, the squad includes established names such as Fakhar Zaman, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz and Naseem Shah, as well as emerging players Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan and Abrar Ahmad.
Pakistan have been drawn in Group A of the T20 World Cup, where they will face arch-rivals India along with Namibia, the Netherlands and the United States in the first round. The Sri Lanka series is expected to play a key role in shaping Pakistan’s approach and squad balance for those matches.
All three T20Is against Sri Lanka will be played in Dambulla, with matches scheduled for January 7, January 9 and January 11.
Pakistan squad: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmad, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, Usman Tariq.
Officials: Naveed Akram Cheema (manager), Mike Hesson (head coach), Ashley Noffke (bowling coach), Hanif Malik (batting Coach), Shane McDermott (fielding coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Grant Luden (strength and conditioning coach), Talha Ejaz (analyst), Syed Naeem Ahmad (media manager), Col. Usman Anwari (security manager), Dr Wajid Ali Rafai (team doctor) and Muhammad Ehsan (masseur)
