Shadab Khan Returns for Pakistan T20I Tour of Sri Lanka

Shadab Khan is Back on the Pakistan Team

Shadab Khan is back! The all-rounder is joining Pakistan’s T20I team for the Sri Lanka tour after recovering from a shoulder injury. These games, from January 7-11 in Dambulla, are the last warm-up before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 in India and Sri Lanka. Having Shadab back will really help Pakistan’s bowling attack. He’s got lots of experience and can finish strong with both the bat and ball.

Also, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is giving Khawaja Nafay his first chance to play for the senior team. The 23-year-old batter and part-time wicketkeeper has been doing great in local games and the Abu Dhabi T10, scoring 688 runs in 32 T20 matches. He can really hit the ball. This gives Pakistan more options at the top of the batting order.

Coming Back from Injury

The past few months weren’t easy for Shadab Khan. He last played for Pakistan in June 2025 against Bangladesh, where he took four wickets and scored 55 runs, helping Pakistan win the series 3-0. After that, he had surgery on his shoulder, which kept him out of cricket for a while.

He started playing again on December 16 in the Big Bash League (BBL) with the Sydney Thunder. He really showed what he could do with a four-wicket haul against the Brisbane Heat on December 22. He’s ready for international cricket again. Having him in the Sri Lanka series will give Pakistan a solid spin option, and it will also help Shadab get back in shape before the T20 World Cup.

Mixing Experienced Players with New Ones

Most of Pakistan’s top players in the BBL, like Shaheen Shah Afridi, Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Haris Rauf, and Hasan Ali, aren’t on this T20I team. So, it’s a chance for guys like Shadab and new players like Nafay, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan, and Usman Khan to step up. They’re playing in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL) right now and will join the team after their games.

This series lets Pakistan check out new players and figure out their plan before the World Cup. Guys like Abdul Samad and Khawaja Nafay will be competing for those top batting spots. Fast bowlers Salman Mirza and Naseem Shah will lead the attack since Afridi and Rauf aren’t there. It’s really important to get this mix of young and experienced guys right.

What Shadab Brings to the Team

Shadab Khan has been a key player for Pakistan in T20s for a long time. He’s known for his leg-spin, bowling well when the other team is trying to score big, and coming through in tough situations. He can also hit the ball well down the order when the team needs runs. He’s up against some of the best players from around the world.

During the Bangladesh T20I series in 2025, Shadab was key in controlling the middle overs, breaking important partnerships, and doing his part with the bat. He’s a leader on the field, which makes him super valuable as Pakistan gets ready for the T20 World Cup.

New Players: Khawaja Nafay and Others

Khawaja Nafay being on the team is big news. He’s got local experience and can score quickly.

This series is also a chance for new bowlers like Salman Mirza to prove themselves.

Getting Ready for the T20 World Cup

This T20I series against Sri Lanka is really important for Pakistan. It’s their last shot to test different combinations and strategies before the T20 World Cup, which starts in February-March 2026. Shadab Khan’s back, and there are some fresh faces in the squad, which means Pakistan can try different things while keeping a good mix of experience and youth.

The games in Dambulla will be day-night matches, which is similar to what Pakistan might face in India and Sri Lanka during the World Cup. It’s a time to get used to the conditions, test strategies, and build team spirit.

In Conclusion

Shadab Khan coming back to Pakistan’s T20I team is a really good thing! With new players like Khawaja Nafay also getting a shot, Pakistan wants to lock in its T20 World Cup lineup and give new talent a chance to shine. Everyone will see how the team mixes youth with experienced pace and spin in Sri Lanka. This series should be exciting.