Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi Omitted as Pakistan Rethink T20 World Cup Build-Up

In a surprising decision just weeks before the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has excluded star batter Babar Azam and pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi from the 15-member T20I squad for the upcoming three-match series against Sri Lanka, scheduled for January 7, 9, and 11, 2026, at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium in Dambulla. The series, announced as a key preparatory assignment for the global event co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 onward, will proceed under the captaincy of Salman Ali Agha. The absences extend to other prominent players like Mohammad Rizwan and Haris Rauf, who are also committed to Australia's Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26 season.

The primary reason for the snub is the players' ongoing participation in the BBL, where Babar Azam represents the Sydney Sixers, Shaheen Afridi plays for the Brisbane Heat, Rizwan for the Melbourne Renegades, and Rauf for the Melbourne Stars. The PCB honored prior commitments to Cricket Australia, granting No Objection Certificates (NOCs) in October despite the scheduling clash with the Sri Lanka tour. This allows the stars to fulfill their full franchise contracts, which run until late January, rather than being recalled early. The board has expressed confidence in its bench strength to handle the assignment, viewing the series as an opportunity to test combinations and give exposure to emerging talents ahead of the World Cup.

The squad features the return of all-rounder Shadab Khan after a lengthy absence due to shoulder surgery, marking his comeback since June 2025, alongside a maiden call-up for uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Khawaja Nafay, who has impressed in domestic and Pakistan Shaheens cricket with a strong strike rate. Other inclusions include players like Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Naseem Shah, and Abrar Ahmed, providing a mix of experience and youth. Notably, Pakistan are drawn in Group B for the T20 World Cup (alongside India, Namibia, Netherlands, and USA) and will play all their matches in Sri Lanka, making familiarity with local conditions potentially valuable—though the PCB has prioritized franchise obligations over early acclimatization for the seniors.

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This move has ignited debate among fans and analysts, with some questioning the timing given the proximity to the marquee tournament and the strategic importance of subcontinental conditions. However, the PCB appears to be balancing player workload, franchise agreements, and rotation, expecting Babar, Shaheen, and others to rejoin for the World Cup preparations. As the series approaches, it will serve as a litmus test for the revamped lineup's readiness while highlighting Pakistan's depth in white-ball cricket ahead of the high-stakes global showdown.

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