Web Desk: Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha has left the door wide open for Shadab Khan’s return ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup. The all-rounder hasn’t played since June, when injury struck during the Bangladesh T20I series.
Since then, Mohammad Nawaz has grabbed the spotlight. Bat and ball, he’s been brilliant. Pakistan lifted a tri-series in the UAE. They reached the Asia Cup final. On Saturday, Nawaz spun them to another tri-series title at home, grabbing three wickets to sink Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi.
Saim Ayub now breaks the powerplay with spin. Abrar Ahmed and Usman Tariq have stepped up as proper specialists. Depth looks real.
Yet Salman hasn’t forgotten Shadab. “He was vice-captain when he got injured,” the skipper said after the win. “A player with that much World Cup experience, who can bat five or six and bowl spin—if he fits the plan, why not bring him back?”
Pakistan head to Sri Lanka in early February. Spin will rule there, co-hosting the World Cup with India. Salman is excited about the options. “We have Nawaz, Saim, Abrar, Usman—four different flavours. If the pitches turn, we won’t hold back. You might see two, even more specialist spinners.”
Big scores over 200? Salman stays calm. “In Sri Lanka that rarely happens. But if conditions allow it, we can chase or set anything. The boys have proved it lately.”
He looked back on a tough start to the year. “Early days were rough. But the last few months we’ve won almost everything in white-ball cricket.” December is quiet. January kicks off the final push. “We want 2026 to be the year Pakistan lifts the World Cup,” Salman said.
Leading the country brings pressure. He admits the first weeks were hard, balancing bat and decisions. “Now I feel settled. I’ve found the rhythm.” The message is clear: Pakistan are coming, confident, deep, and ready. Shadab or no Shadab, they believe.
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