The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the national T20I squad on Sunday for the upcoming three-match series against Sri Lanka, scheduled for January 7, 9, and 11 at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium.
BPL franchises affected
Saim Ayub – Sylhet Titans
Sahibzada Farhan & Mohammad Nawaz – Rajshahi Warriors
Faheem Ashraf & Khawaja Nafay – Rangpur Riders
Salman Mirza & Usman Khan – Dhaka Capitals
These players are expected to feature prominently for Pakistan, with Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan likely opening the batting, while Nawaz, Faheem, and Usman Khan will play key roles in the middle order. Consequently, they will miss BPL matches for their respective franchises during the Chattogram phase from January 5 to 12, according to the Daily Star.
Shadab Khan also to miss Big Bash games
Ace all-rounder Shadab Khan will miss a few matches for Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League (BBL) due to his inclusion in Pakistan’s T20I squad. Having recently recovered from shoulder surgery, Shadab is aiming to impress selectors ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Other top Pakistan stars to continue in BBL
Meanwhile, high-profile players Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan, Hasan Ali, and Haris Rauf, who were excluded from the Sri Lanka T20I squad, will continue representing their respective franchises in the ongoing BBL season.
