Pakistan Cricket Board has announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 International series against Sri Lanka, scheduled to be played in January. The squad selection has drawn attention as several key senior players will miss the series.
According to the announcement, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Haris Rauf, and Shaheen Shah Afridi have been rested and released to participate in the Big Bash League (BBL). The decision reflects the PCB’s stance that there was no immediate need to reassess their performances for final squad selection, given their established credentials at the international level.
Uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Khawaja Nafay has been included in the squad, marking a significant opportunity for the young cricketer. Meanwhile, all-rounder Shadab Khan has also earned a recall to the national setup.
Youth-Focused Pace Attack Despite Senior Absences
Despite the absence of four frontline players, Pakistan have assembled a strong and balanced squad, built around young fast bowlers Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim, and Naseem Shah.
The spin bowling unit includes Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, and Shadab Khan, while mystery spinner Usman Tariq adds variety to the attack. Captain Salman Ali Agha and explosive batter Saim Ayub further strengthen the squad’s spin and batting depth.
World Cup Planning in Focus
The performances in this series are expected to play a crucial role in determining:
- The final spin-bowling options
- The selection of additional fast bowlers
for Pakistan’s final 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup.
Pakistan appear to have already settled on their batting combinations, with this series serving as a key evaluation phase for the bowling department.
Series Schedule
The three-match T20I series will be played at Dambulla on:
- January 7
- January 9
- January 11