1st T20I: Pakistan win toss, decide to field against Sri Lanka

Dambulla  (Web Desk): All-rounder Shadab Khan made his return to Pakistan's playing XI for the first time since June last year as captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and opted to field first in the opening match of the three-match T20I series against Sri Lanka on Wednesday.

Shadab, who had been sidelined due to a shoulder injury, made a strong return after a successful stint in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia. His inclusion comes in a Pakistan team missing key players Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Haris Rauf, who are also participating in the BBL. However, all three are expected to return for the upcoming T20 World Cup, with this series serving as a warm-up for both teams ahead of the tournament, co-hosted by Sri Lanka and India.

The series provides Pakistan an opportunity to test their squad depth ahead of the T20 World Cup, a tournament in which they did not perform as expected during the last edition. In their current squad, Pakistan have picked young hard-hitting batter Abdul Samad and uncapped talent Khawaja Nafay.

Usman Khan, a batter, and Usman Tariq, a spinner, have also been included in the squad following impressive performances in Pakistan’s previous series, where they won the tri-series title at home against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.

“We are missing some big stars, and they have done incredibly well for Pakistan. However, the players we have brought here are also very good and are the future of Pakistan,” said Salman Ali Agha in a press briefing on Tuesday. “I hope they will deliver in the coming games.”

Shadab, after recovering from the injury, took seven wickets in six matches at an average of 26.57 in the BBL and also contributed with the bat, scoring 104 runs in four innings.

“He has made a successful comeback after a long injury and has done very well in the Big Bash,” said Salman. “Choosing from the range of all-rounders we have in the squad is a good headache. It’s tough managing all the spinners and all-rounders, but to be honest, it’s a luxury to have players who can both bowl and bat in any situation and condition.”

Teams:

Pakistan: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha (C), Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed

Sri Lanka: Patthum Nissanka, Kamil Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Nuwan Thushara