BBL-based stars including Babar Azam, Rizwan and Shaheen Afridi rested; Khawaja Nafay earns maiden call-up

Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!

Shadab Khan has been recalled to Pakistan’s T20I squad for the three-match series against Sri Lanka in January, marking his return to international cricket after shoulder surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation period. The all-rounder, who last represented Pakistan in June during the home T20I series against Bangladesh, recently made his competitive comeback with Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League (BBL). Pakistan had won the Bangladesh series 3-0, with Shadab contributing four wickets and 55 runs before undergoing surgery on his right shoulder.

The series will be led by Salman Agha, who continues as captain as Pakistan begin their final phase of preparations for the T20 World Cup, scheduled for February–March in India and Sri Lanka. Notably, none of the Pakistan players currently featuring in the BBL — Shaheen Shah Afridi, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Haris Rauf and Hasan Ali — have been named in the squad, with selectors opting to manage their workloads.

Uncapped 23-year-old batter Khawaja Nafay has received his first international call-up after impressive performances in domestic and franchise cricket. Nafay, who also keeps wickets part-time, recently played in the Abu Dhabi T10 and has been part of the Pakistan Shaheens setup. In 32 T20 matches, he has scored 688 runs at a strike rate of 132.81, earning him a chance at the international level.

While BBL-based players have largely been rested, several Pakistan cricketers currently participating in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) have been selected. Nafay, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan and Usman Khan will depart their respective BPL franchises to join the national squad in Sri Lanka, despite the scheduling clash.

Originally viewed as a key opportunity to finalise Pakistan’s squad for the T20 World Cup, the Sri Lanka series now also serves as a platform for fringe and emerging players to stake their claims. Top-order batter Abdul Samad, who has been close to national selection for over a year, adds further depth alongside Nafay in an already competitive top-order group.

In the pace department, fast bowler Salman Mirza, who featured in Pakistan’s tri-series final win over Sri Lanka late last year, is set to play a leading role. With Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf absent, Mirza will share responsibility with Naseem Shah in spearheading the seam attack, as Pakistan assess combinations ahead of the World Cup.

Pakistan will play one more T20I series before the World Cup, hosting Australia for three matches at the end of January.

Pakistan T20I squad vs Sri Lanka:
Salman Agha (capt), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk), Usman Tariq