Shadab Returns to Pakistan T20I Squad for Sri Lanka Series

News Desk 

Islamabad: All-rounder Shadab Khan has been recalled to Pakistan’s T20I squad as the Men’s National Selection Committee announced a 15-member team for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, scheduled to be played from January 7 to 11, 2026, in Dambulla.

The 27-year-old Shadab, who last represented Pakistan in June this year, had undergone shoulder surgery earlier in the year. Following a successful rehabilitation programme at the National Cricket Academy, he has returned to competitive cricket and is currently featuring in Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL).

However, Pakistan’s T20I leading run-scorer Babar Azam, along with pace spearheads Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf, have not been included in the squad as they are committed to their respective BBL franchises. Babar Azam is playing for Sydney Sixers, while Haris Rauf and Shaheen Shah Afridi are representing Melbourne Stars and Brisbane Heat, respectively.

Salman Ali Agha, who featured in a record 34 T20I matches this year—the most by any Pakistan player—will continue to lead the side in the forthcoming series.

The squad also includes uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Khawaja Nafay. The 23-year-old right-handed batter has been part of the Pakistan Shaheens setup and has played 32 T20 matches, scoring at a strike rate of 132.81.

The Pakistan team is scheduled to depart for Sri Lanka in the first week of January, with all three matches to be played at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium (RDICS) on January 7, 9 and 11.

The series will serve as a key preparatory assignment for Pakistan ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, set to be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. Pakistan are scheduled to play all their World Cup matches in Colombo.

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

Series schedule:

January 7 – First T20I

January 9 – Second T20I

January 11 – Third T20I