Pakistan’s T20 squad could undergo significant changes ahead of the upcoming series against Sri Lanka, with Salman Ali Agha and Shaheen Shah Afridi reportedly facing exclusion from the team.
According to sources, the Pakistan selection committee has held initial consultations over the proposed squads for the T20 and upcoming tri-nation ODI series. Sahibzada Farhan is reportedly a strong candidate to captain the T20 side.
If Farhan is appointed captain, Salman Ali Agha is expected to miss the T20 series. Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf are also reportedly unlikely to be selected for the shortest format, while Fakhar Zaman is expected to return to the T20 squad.
Selectors are closely monitoring the performances of young Pakistani players competing at the Asian Games. The proposed squads are expected to be finalized after the Asian Games semifinal.
Shaheen Afridi and Babar Azam, meanwhile, are reportedly certain to be included in the ODI squad.
No separate training camp is expected to be held because of players’ domestic commitments and the ongoing Asian Games. Selected white-ball players will report directly to the team hotel in Rawalpindi.
Sri Lanka are scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on October 4. The first T20I will be played in Rawalpindi on October 9, followed by the second on October 11 and the third on October 13.
After the T20 series, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and England will compete in a tri-nation ODI series. The Pakistan squad for the two-Test series against Sri Lanka will be announced separately.