LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has dropped the star trio Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf from the upcoming Sri Lanka tour.
As per details, Pakistan has announced a 15-member squad for the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, scheduled to take place later next month.
According to PCB’s press release, “All-rounder Shadab Khan has returned to the T20I side. Salman Ali Agha, who featured in a record 34 T20I matches, the most by a Pakistan player this year, will continue to lead the side in the forthcoming series.”
The 27-year-old Shadab, who last represented Pakistan in June this year, underwent shoulder surgery earlier in the year. Following a successful rehabilitation programme at the National Cricket Academy, he is currently featuring in the Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia, the PCB added.
The other addition to the squad is uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Khawaja Nafay. The 23-year-old right-handed batter has recently been part of the Pakistan Shaheens squad. He has featured in 32 T20 matches and has scored at a strike rate of 132.81.
Pakistan side will depart for Sri Lanka in the first week of January, with all three T20Is scheduled to be played at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium (RDICS) in Dambulla on 7, 9 and 11 January.
The series will provide Pakistan an opportunity to finalise their squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, set to take place in India and Sri Lanka from 7 February to 8 March. Pakistan are scheduled to play all their matches in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Pakistan Squad
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.
Pakistan Team Management
Naveed Akram Cheema (manager), Mike Hesson (head coach), Ashley Noffke (bowling coach), Hanif Malik (batting Coach), Shane McDermott (fielding coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Grant Luden (strength and conditioning coach), Talha Ejaz (analyst), Syed Naeem Ahmad (media manager), Col. Usman Anwari (security manager), Dr Wajid Ali Rafai (team doctor) and Muhammad Ehsan (masseur).
Pakistan vs Sri Lanka T20i Series schedule
- 7 January, First T20I
- 9 January. Second T20I
- 11 January, Third T20I
