Social media erupted with criticism after Shadab Khan's return and Usman Khan's inclusion in Pakistan's T20 squad, with users questioning why domestic performers like Maaz Sadaqat, Hassan Nawaz and Sufyan Muqeem face exclusion.

 

Shadab Khan's comeback after recovering from injury dominated social media trends as Pakistan announced its T20 squad for the Sri Lanka series on Sunday. The all-rounder's sudden inclusion sparked surprise and criticism across platforms.

 

Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif took to X (formerly Twitter) to voice his concerns. "Shadab Khan returns as Pakistan name T20I squad for Sri Lanka series but Domestic performers Maaz Sadaqat and Sufyan Muqeem missing," he wrote.

 

The selectors included the bowling all-rounder in the squad despite several young players delivering strong domestic performances. 

 

Shadab currently plays in the Big Bash League, where he receives limited batting opportunities. The selectors picked him after he recovered from shoulder surgery.

 

The squad also includes aggressive young wicketkeeper-batsman Khawaja Nafay, who earned his first national T20 call-up. 

 

The selectors also picked Usman Khan, who has scored 335 runs in 27 T20I matches with a strike rate of just 120. 

 

With Khawaja Nafay also keeping wickets, Usman Khan's inclusion as a second wicketkeeper raises questions since he does not offer extraordinary batting ability to justify the spot.

 

Social media users expressed strong reactions to the selection decisions.

 

"Maaz Sadaqat ko khilana chahiye tha (They should have played Maaz Sadaqat)," one user wrote.

 

Another user questioned multiple omissions: "Abbas Afridi, Sufyan Muqeem, Hassan Nawaz???"

 

"Sufyan hogya sideline great bro great," a frustrated user commented, highlighting Muqeem's sidelining.

 

One user drew comparisons between established and emerging players: "Naseem and Shadab getting chances without any performance meanwhile talent like Sufyan Muqeem getting ignored."

 

Several users questioned the selection outright. "Why Shadab?" one person asked.

 

"Where is Babar?" another user wondered, noting other prominent absences.

 

The three-match series begins on January 7 with the first T20I, followed by the second match on January 9 and the final T20I on January 11.