Big Shock! Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi dropped as Pakistan announce squad for Sri Lanka T20Is

Salman Ali Agha will captain Pakistan in the three-match series against Sri Lanka.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a 15-man squad for the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka next month. All-rounder Salman Ali Agha, who has played 34 T20I games this season, is set to continue his tenure as Pakistan’s captain for the upcoming series in Dambulla, Sri Lanka.

The likes of Babar Azam, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Rizwan haven’t been named in the team which comes as a big shock. They are currently playing the Big Bash League (BBL). Meanwhile, Shaheen Afridi has also not been named in the team for the three-match series. He suffered during the BBL fixture between Brisbane Heat and Adelaide Strikers on Saturday, December 27.

Due to the injury, rumours suggested that Afridi may also potentially miss the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to take place from February 7 to March 8 in India and Sri Lanka. Despite the tournament being co-hosted by two nations, all of Pakistan’s matches will be played in Colombo.

Amid the absence of top players, uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Khawaja Nafay has been called up for the senior team. Nafay has played 32 T20 matches, scoring 688 runs with a strike rate of 132.

Shadab Khan returns to Pakistan squad for the Sri Lanka T20Is

Experienced all-rounder Shadab Khan has also made his return in the 15-man squad. Khan was on the sidelines due to shoulder surgery. The 27-year-old has completed a successful rehab and is currently playing in the BBL for the Sydney Thunder.

The team will travel to Sri Lanka in the early days of next month, as the matches are scheduled to be played at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium (RDICS), the same venue. The first T20I will be played on January 7, followed by the second on January 9, with the concluding game scheduled for January 11.

The series against Sri Lanka will also serve the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) an opportunity to create a solid team ahead of the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.

Pakistan are placed in Group B of the upcoming T20 World Cup 2026 alongside India, Namibia, the Netherlands, and the United States of America.

Pakistan’s squad for the T20I series against Sri Lanka

Salman Ali Agha (C), 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

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