ISLAMABAD, Pakistan — Pakistan’s selectors have announced the national squad for the upcoming three-match T20 International series against Sri Lanka, with the return of Shadab Khan and the notable exclusion of senior players Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi emerging as the biggest talking points ahead of the tour.
Shadab Khan has been recalled to the T20 setup after recovering from shoulder surgery and regaining match fitness through competitive cricket abroad. The all-rounder’s return is seen as a boost for Pakistan’s middle order and bowling options, particularly as the team looks to strike a balance between experience and experimentation ahead of major international commitments.
In contrast, the absence of former captain Babar Azam and pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi has sparked debate among fans and analysts. Officials, however, indicate that the decision is part of a rotation and workload management plan, with both players currently engaged in overseas leagues. Other senior cricketers, including Mohammad Rizwan and Haris Rauf, have also been rested to manage fatigue and avoid burnout during a packed international calendar.
Salman Ali Agha has been retained as captain and will lead a squad that blends emerging talent with seasoned performers. The series is being viewed as a crucial opportunity for the team management to test combinations, assess bench strength and give exposure to players who could feature prominently in the future. Several younger faces and fringe players have been included as Pakistan looks to build depth ahead of global tournaments.
The T20 series is scheduled to be played in Sri Lanka next month, with matches expected to offer competitive cricket against a strong home side. Pakistan’s selectors believe the tour will provide valuable insights into the team’s preparedness and adaptability in subcontinent conditions.
With key players rested and others returning from injury, all eyes will be on how the revamped squad performs and whether the changes pay dividends as Pakistan fine-tunes its strategy for the challenges ahead.
This story has been reported by PakTribune. All rights reserved.