Pakistan squad for T20Is against Sri Lanka announced:Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Haris Rauf absent; Shadab Khan returns, Khwaja Nafay called up

Pakistan have announced their squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka on 28 December. Senior players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf were absent, while Salman Ali Agha will continue to be in charge of the squad announced by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) for the three-match series. Pakistan’s T20I series against Sri Lanka will start on 7 January. The second and third T20Is will be played on 9 and 11 January, respectively. All three matches will be played at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium in Dambulla. Also read: From Asia Cup handshake, trophy row to RCB stampede:Top 10 cricket controversies that highlighted 2025; when sport made headlines for wrong reasons Khawaja Nafay called up, senior names absent Babar, Shaheen and Haris, three of Pakistan’s most experienced players will miss the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka. All three cricketers are currently participating in Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL). On the other hand, Pakistan have called up uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Khawaja Nafay. The 23-year-old has represented Pakistan Shaheens and will look to impress selectors before the T20 World Cup 2026 tournament. In 32 T20s so far, Nafay has scored 688 runs with a strike rate of 132.81. Shadab Khan returns While big names like Babar, Shaheen and Haris are absent, Pakistan have recalled Shadab Khan back into the T20I setup. The experienced all-rounder had last played for Pakistan earlier against Bangladesh on 1 June this year. He had taken four wickets and scored 55 runs in three matches. After that, he underwent surgery due to a problem with his right shoulder. After his rehab, Shadab has been playing for Sydney Thunder in Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL). The three matches against Sri Lanka will be Pakistan’s last assignment in the shortest format before the T20 World Cup 2026 and the team will look to prepare well for the tournament. Also read: Team India players ‘confused’ and ‘insecure’:Gautam Gambhir’s shocking Shubman Gill T20 World Cup snub has taken a toll on the dressing room Pakistan’s squad for T20Is against Sri Lanka:
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