Overview
- Senior players Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan and Haris Rauf were omitted as they continue Big Bash League stints under a PCB pledge to Cricket Australia.
- Allrounder Shadab Khan was recalled after June shoulder surgery and National Cricket Academy rehab, with recent BBL outings cited for match readiness.
- Uncapped wicketkeeper-batter Khawaja Nafay, 23, received a maiden call-up as selectors assess emerging options.
- Salman Ali Agha remains T20 captain after leading Pakistan in a record 34 T20Is this year.
- Pakistan will play three T20Is in Dambulla on January 7, 9 and 11 and depart in phases on January 4–5, treating the series as a key selection trial for the 2026 T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka.