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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has confirmed that right-handed batter Hasan Nawaz has been released from the men’s national squad ahead of the upcoming three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka and the T20I tri-nation series featuring Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe.
The decision allows the young batter to participate in the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, Pakistan’s premier first-class competition. The seventh round of the tournament begins on 11 November, coinciding with the start of the ODI series in Rawalpindi.
In Hasan’s absence, no replacement will be added to the ODI squad, while left-handed opener Fakhar Zaman has been named as his replacement in the T20I squad.
Match Schedule
The ODI series between Pakistan and Sri Lanka will take place at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from 11 to 15 November, while the T20I tri-series will be held across Rawalpindi and Lahore from 17 to 29 November.
Sri Lanka Tour of Pakistan – ODI Series
- 11 November: First ODI – Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
- 13 November: Second ODI – Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
- 15 November: Third ODI – Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
T20I Tri-Nation Series (Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe)
- 17 November: Pakistan vs Zimbabwe – Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
- 19 November: Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe – Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
- 22 November: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
- 23 November: Pakistan vs Zimbabwe – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
- 25 November: Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
- 27 November: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
- 29 November: Final – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Updated Pakistan Squads
ODI Squad (15 members)
- Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain)
- Abrar Ahmed
- Babar Azam
- Faheem Ashraf
- Faisal Akram
- Fakhar Zaman
- Haris Rauf
- Haseebullah
- Hussain Talat
- Mohammad Nawaz
- Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper)
- Mohammad Wasim Jnr
- Naseem Shah
- Saim Ayub
- Salman Ali Agha
T20I Squad (15 members)
- Salman Ali Agha (captain)
- Abdul Samad
- Abrar Ahmed
- Babar Azam
- Faheem Ashraf
- Fakhar Zaman
- Mohammad Nawaz
- Mohammad Wasim Jnr
- Mohammad Salman Mirza
- Naseem Shah
- Sahibzada Farhan (wicketkeeper)
- Saim Ayub
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
- Usman Khan (wicketkeeper)
- Usman Tariq
Squad Overview and Selection Notes
Hasan Nawaz’s omission comes as the selectors continue to balance experience with emerging talent. The inclusion of Fakhar Zaman strengthens Pakistan’s top order, offering both aggression and experience in the T20 format.
Shaheen Shah Afridi, who captains the ODI side, will look to lead a strong bowling attack featuring Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf, while the spin department will rely on Abrar Ahmed and Mohammad Nawaz.
In the T20I setup, Salman Ali Agha takes over as captain, marking a fresh leadership approach aimed at giving emerging players greater exposure ahead of upcoming international tournaments.
The tri-series is expected to serve as a key preparation platform for Pakistan’s T20 side as they continue refining combinations and testing bench strength before next year’s major global events.
PCB on Hasan’s Release
A PCB spokesperson stated that Hasan Nawaz’s release is aimed at ensuring that the young player continues to gain valuable match experience in the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, which remains the cornerstone of Pakistan’s domestic cricket structure.
“Hasan is an exciting talent with great potential. The decision to release him allows him to continue his development and gain more exposure through first-class cricket. He remains very much in the selectors’ long-term plans,” the statement read.
The Quaid-e-Azam Trophy, known for producing several of Pakistan’s modern-day stars, provides Hasan an opportunity to continue sharpening his skills in red-ball cricket while remaining in contention for future national call-ups.
What Lies Ahead
Pakistan’s ODI and T20I series against Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe are part of a busy home season that also aims to prepare the squad for next year’s international assignments. The Rawalpindi and Lahore crowds are expected to turn up in large numbers, with the tri-series promising entertaining cricket and fierce competition.
For captain Shaheen Shah Afridi, the upcoming ODIs offer a chance to consolidate leadership experience, while Salman Ali Agha’s captaincy debut in T20Is will be closely watched. Both skippers will be keen to use the series to identify consistent performers as Pakistan look to build a more settled, confident side.
