Pakistan have named their T20I squad for the Sri Lanka series, dropping Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Sunday announced the T20I squad for the upcoming three-match series against Sri Lanka, delivering a major shake-up ahead of the T20 World Cup 2026.
Star batter Babar Azam and senior fast bowler Shaheen Afridi have both been excluded from the squad, while Shadab Khan has been recalled. The series will serve as Pakistan’s final preparation phase before the global event.
The three T20Is will be played on January 7, 9 and 11 at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium, with the team scheduled to depart for Sri Lanka in the first week of January. Salman Ali Agha has been named captain for the series as Pakistan look to test combinations.
Babar, Shaheen Out, Shadab In
Although the PCB has not officially explained the omissions of Babar and Shaheen, their participation in the Big Bash League is believed to have influenced the decision. Interestingly, Shadab Khan has returned to the T20I setup despite also featuring in the BBL, highlighting Pakistan’s intent to strengthen their middle order.
Shadab, who missed several international assignments earlier this year after undergoing shoulder surgery, last played a T20I against Bangladesh in June. His experience and all-round ability are expected to add balance to a side that has struggled for consistency in the middle overs.
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Khawaja Nafay has been included as a top-order option in Babar’s absence. The right-hander has scored 688 runs in 32 T20 matches at a strike rate of 132.81 and is set to partner Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan in the batting unit.
Pakistan’s pace unit will be handled by Naseem Shah, Mohammad Wasim Jr and Salman Mirza, with Shaheen Afridi unavailable for the tour.
Pakistan T20I squad for Sri Lanka series
Salman Ali Agha (C), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay (WK), Mohammad Nawaz, Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (WK), Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (WK), Usman Tariq
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