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No Babar Azam; Shadab, Sadaqat in: Report claims major changes in PAK T20I squad vs SL

Debashis Sarangi

Babar Azam and Shadab Khan [Source: @ICC/X]Babar Azam and Shadab Khan [Source: @ICC/X]

According to emerging reports, veteran allrounder Shadab Khan and young opening batter Maaz Sadaqat could be included in Pakistan's squad for the upcoming T20I series against Sri Lanka. Led by Salman Ali Agha, Pakistan are set to lock horns with Sri Lanka in a three-match series before the T20 World Cup. 

Babar Azam among BBL players doubtful for SL T20Is

As reported by Geo Super, senior players like Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi could be touch-and-go for the Sri Lanka T20Is, given that they are committed to the ongoing Big Bash League. While Babar plays for the Sydney Sixers, Shaheen has emerged as a vital cog for the Brisbane Heat. 

The report states that Babar and Shaheen's inclusion in the Pakistan T20I squad for the Sri Lanka series will be subject to their availability. Cricket Australia's Chief Executive, Todd Greenberg, recently revealed that the Pakistan players would feature in the entire BBL season. If that's the case, we might not see Babar and Shaheen in the T20I series against Sri Lanka. 

Shadab to be recalled, Maaz Sadaqat could get in

The report also claims that the T20I series against Sri Lanka could mark Shadab Khan's return to competitive cricket after a long injury lay-off. With Pakistan struggling to form a settled middle-order, Shadab's comeback will certainly strengthen the Men in Green ahead of the T20 World Cup. 

Meanwhile, young batter Maaz Saqadat might be rewarded for his recent performances. The top-order batter smashed 258 runs at a superb average of 129 and a strike rate of 177.93 across just five matches in the Asia Cup Rising Stars. 

Haris Rauf might make a comeback

Despite playing the BBL for Melbourne Stars, Haris Rauf might make a T20I comeback, with Pakistan aiming to revamp their bowling unit for the T20 World Cup next year. The ace speedster warmed the bench in the South Africa series as well as the T20I tri-nation series before rattling Sri Lanka in the ODI series with a string of remarkable performances. 

Overall, Rauf bagged nine wickets at a magnificent strike rate of 19, and his T20I return could boost the Pakistani bowling unit ahead of the marquee tournament.