KEY POINTS
- Pakistan faces tight deadline to submit its preliminary T20 World Cup squad by Jan 6.
- T20 series in Sri Lanka is crucial trial for emerging players due to absence of seniors.
- Shadab Khan is set for a national team return after strong comeback in BBL.
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is navigating a tight and critical schedule as it prepares for the upcoming Sri Lanka tour and the looming T20 World Cup selection deadlines, with key announcements expected in the first week of the new year.
Before a ball is bowled in Sri Lanka, the selectors face an immediate task. The ICC deadline for all teams to submit a preliminary squad list for the T20 World Cup is Saturday, January 6.
This initial 15-20 player squad allows for significant flexibility, as it can be revised without restriction until the final submission date of February 1.
This two-phase process gives the selection committee a month to assess player form and fitness.
Sri Lanka T20I Squad Announcement
In parallel, the PCB is finalising the squad for the away series against Sri Lanka, with the announcement expected in the first week of January.
The selection committee is in deep consultation, balancing the need for a competitive team with the management of several senior players’ workloads who are currently in the Big Bash League (BBL).
Sri Lanka T20I Series
The action on the field begins immediately after the squad announcement. Pakistan and Sri Lanka are scheduled to play a three-match T20I series on January 7, 9, and 11 in Dambulla.
This series is now poised to be a vital trial for emerging talent, given the absence of several big names.
Key Selection Developments
A major highlight from ongoing discussions is the near-certain return of leg-spinning all-rounder Shadab Khan.
Having regained full fitness and impressed in the BBL, his comeback is seen as crucial for the team’s balance, especially with the World Cup in mind.
With NOCs granted to key players like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi to complete their BBL commitments, the tour to Sri Lanka will serve as a platform to test bench strength.
Promising youngsters like Abdul Samad and Maaz Sadaqat are among those under serious consideration, as selectors aim to broaden the T20 player pool.
This condensed timeline means performances in the early-January series could directly influence the final World Cup squad adjustments made before the February 1 cutoff.
Shadab Khan Powers BBL Comeback
For Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan, the current Big Bash League season has served as the perfect platform to announce his return to form and fitness, making a strong case for his recall to the national T20 squad ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup.
After a lengthy layoff due to a shoulder injury that kept him out of action since June, Shadab has hit the ground running for the Sydney Thunder, delivering impactful performances with both bat and ball.
Return to Form
Shadab’s comeback has been encouraging. In three BBL matches so far, he has taken six wickets and scored 75 runs in two innings at a strike rate of over 136.
His most notable performance was a match-winning spell of 4 for 24 against the Brisbane Heat, signalling a return to his best bowling form.
“The BBL has been my first cricket since the injury,” Shadab said in a recent podcast. For him, the tournament is more than just a league; it’s a critical rehabilitation and proving ground.
“It’s about getting back my rhythm and confidence,” he added, emphasising the importance of game time after a long break.
Embracing Pressure
The season has also presented a unique challenge: playing against long-time Pakistan teammates like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, who are now rivals on Australian teams.
“Yeah, losing to friends is hard to digest,” Shadab admitted with a laugh. “In our culture, your friends don’t forget it for years. We already play against each other in the PSL, and whatever happens there gets talked about for the whole year. So, there’s always pressure when you play against mates.”
Shadab highlighted how Australian conditions have aided his comeback, particularly for spin bowling.
“In Australia, you have a cushion, you can use your variations and deceive batsmen, especially in flight,” he explained.
“You also get extra bounce, which really helps spinners. That little bit of bounce makes a big difference.”
Focus on White-Ball Future
Injuries have been a recurring theme in Shadab’s career, influencing his shift towards a white-ball focus. “I never thought only about white-ball cricket,” he clarified.
“I played Tests, but injuries affected me a lot, mostly because of my action. That’s why I focused more on white-ball cricket — to play more for Pakistan and around the world.”
His current fitness and all-round contributions in a high-quality league like the BBL present a compelling argument for his inclusion.
With the World Cup on the horizon, Shadab Khan’s timely return to form offers Pakistan a seasoned campaigner and a dynamic option, strengthening their quest for a second T20 world title.
India and Sri Lanka have already named their teams for the T20 World Cup. This puts more pressure on Pakistan to quickly decide on their own team.
Because of this, the coming tour of Sri Lanka is very important. It will help Pakistan figure out which players, especially all-rounders and backups, should be in their World Cup squad.
