Shadab Khan returns as Pakistan announce squad for Sri Lanka T20Is

LAHORE: All-rounder Shadab Khan has been recalled to Pakistan’s T20I side as the men’s national selection committee announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, scheduled to be played next month.

Salman Ali Agha, who featured in a record 34 T20I matches in 2025 — the most by any Pakistan player this year, will continue to lead the side in the forthcoming series.

The 27-year-old Shadab, who last represented Pakistan in June, underwent shoulder surgery earlier this year. 

After completing a successful rehabilitation programme at the National Cricket Academy, the all-rounder has returned to competitive cricket and is currently featuring in Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL).

The other notable inclusion is uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Khawaja Nafay. The 23-year-old right-hander, recently part of the Pakistan Shaheens setup, has featured in 32 T20 matches and boasts a strike rate of 132.81.

Pakistan are set to depart for Sri Lanka in the first week of January, with all three T20Is scheduled to be played at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium (RDICS) in Dambulla on January 7, 9 and 11.

The series will serve as a key preparation opportunity for Pakistan ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, set to be jointly hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. 

Pakistan are scheduled to play all their World Cup matches in Colombo.

Pakistan squad for Sri Lanka T20Is:

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

Series schedule:

• January 7 – First T20I
• January 9 – Second T20I
• January 11 – Third T20I