Pakistan reveal T20I squad for Sri Lanka tour without Babar Azam - Here's why

Pakistan has rebuilt their squad to the core after their humiliating loss in the last edition of the ICC T20 World Cup, where it crashed out of the first group stage without even qualifying for the Super 8 stage. 

Consequently, Pakistan's new head coach, Mike Hesson and the board of selectors made some audacious calls, as the likes of Mohammad Rizwan and veteran Babar Azam were dropped from the squad for the shortest format of the game. 

The Asia Cup was one of the tournaments that Pakistan played without the two veteran batters, and despite that, they managed to reach the finals of the competition. Under skipper Salman Agha's leadership, they have won the recent T20I series against South Africa and the tri-series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. 

Pakistan announce final T20I squad ahead of World Cup; No place for Babar Azam

Keeping their faith in Captain Salman Ali Agha's leadership, Pakistan has announced him as their captain for the T20I series against Sri Lanka, and he is likely to retain the role for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup as well. 

Alongside the experience of Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Nawaz, Naseem Shah and Shadab Khan, the team also comprises several younger talents like Usman Khan, Usman Tariq and Abdul Samad. With a blend of fine talents and experienced heads, the team looks solid despite their veterans missing out. 

Pakistan Squad: Salman Ali Agha (c), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Fakhar Zaman, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (wk), Naseem Shah, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Usman Khan (wk), Usman Tariq (wk) and Shadab Khan. 

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Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi snubbed due to BBL duties?

Pakistan veteran batter Babar Azam has not been included in the squad travelling to Sri Lanka. Pakistan will play all their matches in the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup in Sri Lanka, and hence, they are touring the island to get a feel of the conditions. 

The reason cited for the snub is in Babar Azam's current obligations and his best-suited role for the Sydney Sixers in the BBL. The batter has played 4 games for the Sixers and could manage just 71 runs in the series. 

Alongside the veteran batter, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi and Haris Rauf have also been released from the squad, owing to their commitments with their respective BBL teams. 

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Shadab Khan to leave Brisbane Heat midway through the BBL for national duty 

However, Shadab Khan, the most successful Pakistani player in this edition of the BBL so far, will leave the BBL midway with the Brisbane Heat to return for his national side against Sri Lanka. 

Shadab Khan has played some fancy roles with the bat down the order for the Heat, while he is also one of their highest wicket-getters with the ball. He returned with the best figures of 4/24 recently, before the squad was announced. 

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