Shadab Khan returns to T20 team, many players including Haris Rauf-Babar Azam are out… Pakistan’s squad announced for Sri Lanka tour

Shadab Khan, Haris Rauf: Good news has come for Pakistan cricket team. All-rounder Shadab Khan, who has returned fit, has been included in the team for the three-match T20 International series against Sri Lanka next month. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Made its official announcement on Sunday (28 December).

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27-year-old Shadab Khan was away from cricket for a long time since June 2025 due to a shoulder injury. He had undergone surgery in Britain, after which he is now completely fit. PCB said that after getting fitness clearance from the medical team, Shadab has been directly included in the T20 squad.

T-20 series will start from January 7

This three-match T-20 series will be played on 7, 9 and 11 January in Dambulla, Sri Lanka. This series is considered an important part of Pakistan’s preparations before the T20 World Cup to be held in India and Sri Lanka in February-March.

Many senior players of Pakistan rest

Many senior players of Pakistan have been given rest for this tour. Babar AzamMohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf and Hasan Ali will not take part in the Sri Lanka series due to playing in Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL).

Command of the team handed over to Salman Ali Aga

The command of the team has once again been handed over to Salman Ali Aga, who will play the role of captain in this tour. At the same time, wicketkeeper-batsman Khawaja Nafe has also got a chance in the T20 international team for the first time. He has performed brilliantly for Pakistan’s second string team in the last two years. According to PCB, through this series the team combination will be tested and young players will be given international experience, so that a strong squad can be prepared before the T20 World Cup.

Pakistan T20 squad (Sri Lanka tour)

Salman Ali Aga (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafe, Mohammad Nawaz, Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, Usman Tariq.