![Shadab Khan, Sufyan Moqim not playing [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1792310447211_Pakistan.jpg?type=hq)
Shadab Khan, Sufyan Moqim not playing [Source: AFP]
The Pakistan cricket team will bat first in their opening match of the 2026 ODI tri-series against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi. At the toss, the ‘Men in Green’ skipper Shaheen Afridi confirmed that both his wrist spinners, Shadab Khan and Sufyan Moqim, will not be part of the Pakistani playing XI in the game.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has since dropped a crucial update regarding the availability status of the two cricketers.
Shadab Khan, Sufyan Moqim ruled out owing to illness
Pakistan spinners Shadab Khan and Sufyan Moqim were both ruled out of their team’s playing XI for the match against Sri Lanka on October 18 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. As per an update, the two cricketers were not available for play owing to an illness.
In an official statement, the PCB explained that Shadab and Sufyan are both receiving the necessary treatment from the Pakistan medical team. The board also added that the two cricketers will be considered for selection for the remaining matches of the Pakistan ODI tri-series, if they manage to attain full recovery in time.
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While Shadab Khan recently played Pakistan’s home ODI series against Australia, the Pakistan ODI tri-series marked Sufyan Moqim’s return to the national ODI setup after more than a year. The 24-year-old played the last of his four ODI matches for Pakistan way back in August last year during a series in the West Indies.
Saad Baig makes debut, Pakistan unleash four-pronged pace attack
With Shadab Khan and Sufyan Moqim not playing for Pakistan in their opening tri-series match against Sri Lanka, star all-rounders Shadab Khan and Arafat Minhas will be expected to helm their spin-bowling attack.
Young wicketkeeper-batter Saad Baig received his debut international cap prior to the match. The 20-year-old was named in the Pakistan squad for the tri-series owing to his wicketkeeping pedigree in domestic and junior cricket.
With Shadab and Sufyan helming Pakistan’s spin attack, captain Shaheen Afridi also named Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf to form a four-pronged pace attack for the hosts. Here is a look at the entire Pakistan playing XI for the opening tri-series match against Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi.
Pakistan playing XI vs Sri Lanka: Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam, Saad Baig (wk), Hasan Nawaz, Salman Ali Agha, Arafat Minhas, Faheem Ashraf, Shaheen Afridi (c), Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf.
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