Pakistan has revealed their T20I squad for the upcoming three-match series in Sri Lanka, with notable absentees such as Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Mohammad Rizwan, who are currently engaged in Australia’s Big Bash League. Khawaja Nafay, a new face in the team, has earned his first call-up. The 23-year-old right-handed wicketkeeper-batter has previously featured in 32 T20 matches, showcasing a strike rate of 132.81.
Shadab Khan makes a return to the T20I squad, with selectors finalizing a 15-player lineup for the series. Salman Ali Agha, who holds the record for the most T20I matches played by a Pakistani this year with 34 appearances, will continue to lead the team. Shadab, aged 27, underwent shoulder surgery earlier this year and has successfully rehabilitated at the National Cricket Academy before joining the Big Bash League in Australia.
The Pakistan team is scheduled to depart for Sri Lanka in early January, with all three T20I matches set to be held at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium in Dambulla on January 7, 9, and 11. This series presents an opportunity for Pakistan to solidify their squad for the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, slated to take place in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, with all of Pakistan’s matches to be held in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
In the forthcoming World Cup, Pakistan, placed in Group B, will compete against India, Namibia, the Netherlands, and the USA in the initial round. The squad for the Sri Lanka T20Is includes Salman Ali Agha (c), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmad, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, and Usman Tariq.
