All-rounder Shadab Khan is set to make his international comeback after a six-month injury hiatus, having been named in the 15-member squad for the critical three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka next month.
According to a PCB report on Sunday, the announcement by the Men’s National Selection Committee also features a maiden call-up for uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Khawaja Nafay.
The 27-year-old Shadab, who last represented Pakistan in June, has been declared fit following a successful shoulder surgery earlier in the year. After completing a rehabilitation programme at the National Cricket Academy, he is currently active in Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL).
Joining Shadab as a key addition is the 23-year-old Khawaja Nafay. The right-handed batter, who has recently been part of the Pakistan Shaheens squad, brings experience from 32 T20 matches, boasting a career strike rate of 132.81.
Continuity in leadership is maintained with Salman Ali Agha retaining the captaincy. Agha has been a mainstay in the side, featuring in a record 34 T20I matches in 2025, the most by any Pakistan player in the calendar year.
The national side is scheduled to depart for Sri Lanka in the first week of January. All three T20I encounters will be held at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium (RDICS) in Dambulla.
This series serves as a final opportunity for the team to fine-tune its combinations ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from 7 February to 8 March. Pakistan is slated to play all its World Cup fixtures in Colombo.
15-member 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
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)
Series schedule:
7 January – First T20I
9 January – Second T20I
11 January – Third T20I