Overview
- The Pakistan Cricket Board is expected to announce the touring squad in the first week of January after ongoing selection meetings.
- Pakistan will face Sri Lanka in three T20Is on January 7, 9 and 11 in Dambulla.
- Leg-spinner Shadab Khan is nearing a return after recovering from a shoulder injury and showcasing form in the Big Bash League.
- NOCs allow Shaheen Shah Afridi, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Rizwan and Hasan Ali to complete their BBL stints, creating room to test alternatives.
- Selectors are evaluating emerging players such as Abdul Samad and Maaz Sadaqat as they prepare a preliminary World Cup list due January 6, with changes permitted until February 1.