Pakistan Drops Star Trio Azam, Afridi, Rauf for Sri Lanka T20I Series

• Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Haris Rauf excluded from Pakistan's T20I squad for the upcoming series against Sri Lanka.
• Former captain Mohammad Rizwan also not selected; all four are currently playing in the Big Bash League (BBL).
• Shadab Khan returns to the squad, and uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Khawaja Nafay receives his maiden call-up.
• The three-match T20I series will be played in Dambulla on January 7, 9, and 11, serving as preparation for the T20 World Cup 2026.
• Pakistan will play all T20 World Cup 2026 matches in Sri Lanka due to political relations with India, including the India vs Pakistan clash on February 15 in Colombo.

Why It Matters: Pakistan rests key players for Sri Lanka T20Is, focuses on T20 World Cup 2026 preparations.