Pakistan have announced their squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, beginning on January 7, 2026. The series will mark an important step in their preparations for the T20 World Cup scheduled for February–March in India and Sri Lanka. The series will also be Pakistan’s final assignment ahead of the World Cup, giving the management a crucial opportunity to fine-tune Pakistan's squad.
The major highlight of the squad announcement is the return of all-rounder Shadab Khan to the T20I setup. Shadab last represented Pakistan in June during the home T20I series against Bangladesh, which Pakistan won 3-0. Another notable inclusion is Khawaja Nafay, who has earned his first-ever call-up to Pakistan's T20I squad.
Nafay has been on the selectors’ radar following consistent performances in domestic cricket. He recently featured in the Abu Dhabi T10 League and has been part of the Pakistan Shaheens setup. Across 32 T20 matches, he has scored 688 runs at a healthy strike rate of 132.81. Salman Ali Agha will continue to lead the side. Meanwhile, none of the Pakistan players currently participating in the Big Bash League, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Haris Rauf, and Hasan Ali, have been named in the squad.
Pakistan squad: Salman Ali Agha (c), 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.