Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha has hinted that all-rounder Shadab Khan may return to the national squad ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup. Shadab, once considered the frontrunner to lead the side, last featured in June during the T20I series against Bangladesh before an injury sidelined him.
Since his absence, Pakistan has leaned heavily on Mohammad Nawaz as their primary all-rounder. Saim Ayub has stepped up as an effective spin option, while specialist spinners Abrar Ahmed and Usman Tariq have strengthened Pakistan’s bowling depth with consistent performances.
According to Salman, Shadab could rejoin the team during Pakistan’s tour of Sri Lanka in February, which will serve as preparation for the T20 World Cup set to take place in Sri Lanka and India. Salman highlighted Shadab’s vast experience and versatility, noting that his ability to bat in the middle order and provide quality leg-spin gives the team valuable balance.
“He was the team’s vice-captain when he got injured,” Salman said. “A player with World Cup experience who can contribute with both bat and ball is always an asset. If he fits into the combination and is fully ready, then of course he becomes a strong option for us.”
Salman acknowledged Pakistan’s increasing spin resources, which have been central to their recent white-ball performances. With Saim offering breakthroughs early and Abrar and Usman providing variety in the middle overs, Salman believes the team can adapt to conditions in Sri Lanka, where spin-friendly surfaces are expected.
He added that Pakistan is prepared for both high- and low-scoring games, noting that while Sri Lankan pitches rarely produce 200-plus totals, the team has shown the ability to chase big scores when required.
Reflecting on the team’s development this year, Salman said Pakistan has grown steadily after a slow start. He also admitted that balancing captaincy with batting was initially challenging but now feels more confident and settled in his leadership role.
