LAHORE: All-rounder Shadab Khan has been recalled to Pakistan’s T20I squad, while senior players Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi have been omitted as selectors announced a 15-member squad on Sunday for next month’s three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka.
The squad will be led by Salman Ali Agha, who has carried a heavy workload in the shortest format this year, playing a record 34 T20 internationals — the highest by any Pakistan player in a single calendar year.
Shadab Khan, 27, last featured in a T20I for Pakistan in June before undergoing shoulder surgery. After completing a successful rehabilitation programme at the National Cricket Academy, the leg-spinning all-rounder is currently performing in Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL), which appears to have strengthened his case for a return to international cricket.
The absence of Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi has drawn attention, but sources indicate that both omissions are part of a rotation policy rather than a permanent exclusion. The duo is also currently participating in the BBL, as selectors aim to manage workloads and test combinations ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.
A notable inclusion in the squad is uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Khawaja Nafay. The 23-year-old, who has represented Pakistan Shaheens, has played 32 T20 matches with a strike rate of 132.81, earning his maiden senior call-up.
Pakistan will depart for Sri Lanka in the first week of January. All three T20I matches will be played at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium on January 7, 9 and 11.
The series is a key part of Pakistan’s build-up to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, scheduled to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. Pakistan will play all their World Cup matches in Colombo.
Pakistan T20I Squad:
Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmad, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wicket-keeper), Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wicket-keeper), Usman Tariq.
