Pakistan has announced its squad for the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka, scheduled to begin on January 7, 2026, in Dambulla. This series is crucial for both teams as they prepare for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026, which will be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka in February-March. The matches will be held on January 7, 9, and 11, all at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium.

Salman Ali Agha will lead the 15-member squad. However, notable absentees include Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Haris Rauf, and Hasan Ali, all of whom are currently participating in the Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia. Their omission is considered part of a rotation policy to assess different team combinations before the World Cup.

The squad sees the return of all-rounder Shadab Khan, who last played for Pakistan in June before undergoing shoulder surgery. After completing his rehabilitation, he is currently playing in the BBL. The series also marks a first call-up for uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Khawaja Nafay, who has been part of the Pakistan Shaheens squad. The 23-year-old has a T20 strike rate of 132.81, having scored 688 runs in 32 matches.

Other players in the squad include Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmad, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Usman Khan, and Usman Tariq. Seven players from the squad are currently participating in the Bangladesh Premier League (BPL). These players include Khawaja Nafay and Faheem Ashraf (Rangpur Riders), Sahibzada Farhan and Mohammad Nawaz (Rajshahi Warriors), Usman Khan and Salman Mirza (Dhaka Capitals), and Saim Ayub (Sylhet Titans).

Pakistan is placed in Group A for the T20 World Cup, alongside India, the USA, Namibia, and the Netherlands. Pakistan will play their matches in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The series against Sri Lanka will provide an opportunity for Pakistan to finalize their squad for the T20 World Cup. Following the series in Sri Lanka, Pakistan is also scheduled to host Australia for a three-match T20I series in the last week of January. This home series will further refine their preparations for the mega event.

The deadline for submitting preliminary squads for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2026 is January 7. Teams can make changes to their squads without requiring approval until this date. Any alterations made within a week of the tournament's start will require ICC approval.

The series presents a platform for players to stake their claim for a spot in the World Cup squad and for the team management to experiment with different combinations in conditions similar to those expected during the tournament.