RAWALPINDI—Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha has said that all-rounder Shadab Khan could still make a return to the national squad ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup, despite the rise of several new spin options in his absence.
Shadab last played for Pakistan in June during a T20I series against Bangladesh before an injury sidelined him. In the months since, Mohammad Nawaz has emerged as Pakistan’s leading all-rounder, delivering consistent performances with both bat and ball. His recent three-wicket haul against Sri Lanka helped Pakistan secure a home tri-series title on Saturday, further strengthening his position.
Alongside Nawaz, opener Saim Ayub has become a reliable spin option in the powerplay, while Abrar Ahmed and Usman Tariq have added variety and depth to Pakistan’s spin attack.
But Salman said Shadab’s experience and versatility meant he remained firmly in contention for the World Cup squad, with Pakistan set to travel to Sri Lanka — the co-hosts of the tournament — in early February.
“He was the team’s vice-captain when he got injured,” Salman said during the post-match press conference. “A player who has featured in multiple World Cups, who has experience, who can bat in the middle order and bowl—if he is fit and we feel he suits the conditions, why not?”
Growing Spin Depth Boosts Pakistan’s Confidence
Pakistan’s strengthened spin department has been central to their white-ball resurgence. Salman said the team was now well-equipped to tailor bowling combinations based on Sri Lankan conditions, where spin-friendly pitches are expected.
“If conditions allow us to play two specialist spinners, or even more, we won’t hesitate,” he said. “We have Nawaz, Saim, Abrar and Usman — four very different options. If pitches support spin, you might see all of them.”
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Conditions to Dictate Scoring Trends
While high-scoring T20Is have become common globally, Salman noted that Sri Lankan surfaces may not yield regular 200-plus totals.
“In Sri Lanka, you generally don’t get pitches where such totals are common,” he said. “But if required, we have the capability to score or chase big totals.”
A Strong Finish to 2024
Reflecting on the team’s overall performance, Salman acknowledged Pakistan’s shaky start to the year but said they had shown marked improvement.
“In the last two or three months, we have won almost all our white-ball series,” he said. “The challenge now is to carry this momentum into next year. We want 2026 to be a year people remember—by winning the World Cup.”
Apart from Nawaz, opener Saim Ayub has also consolidated his role as Pakistan’s impactful spin option while Abrar Ahmed and Usman Tariq have announced themselves as worthy specialists.https://t.co/C8zlwCilKi
— Dawn.com (@dawn_com) November 30, 2025
Salman also said he now felt more comfortable leading the side across formats after initially struggling to balance captaincy with his own batting. “Over the last five or six months I’ve understood how to manage both,” he said. “I feel far more settled now.”
