Pakistan’s Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi And Haris Rauf Dropped From Squad For T20I Series Against Sri Lanka

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced a new-look T20I squad on Sunday, December 28, 2025, for the upcoming three-match series against Sri Lanka. The selection committee has notably excluded the “big three”—Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Haris Rauf—alongside veteran wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan.

The Squad: A Strategic Shift

The squad, led by Salman Ali Agha, reflects a clear intent to test bench strength and manage the workloads of senior players currently participating in Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL).

• Returning Star: All-rounder Shadab Khan makes his highly anticipated return to the national side after recovering from shoulder surgery. He last played a T20I in June 2025.
• Maiden Call-up: 23-year-old Khawaja Nafay has earned his first international cap. The Quetta Gladiators breakout star impressed selectors with a strike rate of 132.81 in domestic T20s.
• The Captain: Salman Ali Agha retains his leadership role after playing a record 34 T20Is in 2025—the most by any Pakistani player in a single calendar year.

Series Schedule & World Cup Roadmap

All three matches will be played at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium as Pakistan begins its final preparations for the 2026 T20 World Cup.

T20 World Cup 2026: The “Neutral Venue” Reality

The upcoming series is a critical precursor to the 10th ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, scheduled for February 7 to March 8, 2026.

• Group Stage: Pakistan is placed in Group A alongside India, the USA, Namibia, and the Netherlands.
• The Big Clash: The blockbuster India vs. Pakistan match is set for February 15, 2026, at the R. Premadasa Stadium in Colombo.
• Venue Restrictions: Due to political tensions, the PCB and BCCI have agreed that Pakistan will play all its matches in Sri Lanka (Colombo and Pallekele). Even if they qualify for the final, the match—originally slated for Ahmedabad—will be moved to Colombo for Pakistan.

Official 15-Member Squad¹

Salman Ali Agha (C), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmad, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Usman K²han, and Usman Tariq.