ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's cricket team on Monday arrived in Sri Lanka to play a three-match Twenty20 International series ahead of the T20 World Cup in Feb., the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said.
Pakistani players Shadab Khan, Rana Faheem Ashraf, pacers Mohammad Wasim, Salman Mirza, and Naseem Shah, along with Fakhar Zaman and Usman Tariq, arrived in Colombo in two batches, according to the PCB.
Pakistan head coach Mike Hesson, bowling coach Ashley Noffke, the fielding coach, and other members of the support staff have also arrived to the tropical island nation.
"The Pakistani team will practice tomorrow night at 8pm local time," the PCB said, adding that captain Salman Ali Agha will hold a press conference ahead of the practice session.
Last week, Pakistan announced its 15-member squad for the Sri Lanka series, retaining Agha as captain. Khan was recalled to the squad after recovering from a shoulder injury, while uncapped batter Khawaja Nafay has also been selected.
Star Pakistani cricketers Haris Rauf, Babar Azam, and Shaheen Shah Afridi are not part of the squad. All three were playing in the Big Bash League, with Afridi returning mid-season after suffering an injury.
All three T20Is are scheduled to be played at the Rangiri Dambulla International Cricket Stadium (RDICS) in Dambulla on Jan. 7, 9, and 11.
“The series will provide Pakistan an opportunity to finalize their squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, set to take place in India and Sri Lanka from 7 February to 8 March,” the PCB said last week.
