Shadab Khan Ruled Out of Tri-Series Final on Medical Grounds
Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan has been ruled out of Saturday’s ODI tri-series final against Sri Lanka at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. He misses the final on medical grounds after being struck on the head by a bouncer during the tournament.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed the news in a statement issued before the final. Pakistan captain Shaheen Afridi confirmed Shadab’s absence at the toss, after electing to field first. Faheem Ashraf replaced Shadab in the playing XI.
The blow came during Pakistan’s fifth match of the tri-series against Sri Lanka. Shadab was struck on the head by a bouncer in that match, and the PCB later declared him unavailable for the final.
What the PCB said
The PCB statement put the position plainly:
“Pakistan all-rounder Shadab Khan has been ruled out of the final against Sri Lanka, scheduled to take place at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore later today due to medical reasons following being struck by a bouncer in the fifth ODI against Sri Lanka.”
The wording matters. This is a medical ruling, not a selection call. A head blow carries its own protocols, and the board’s decision closes the question of whether Shadab could have played through it.
Shaheen’s confirmation at the toss also settled the team news early. Pakistan went into the final knowing its balance had changed, with Faheem Ashraf coming in for an all-rounder who bats in the middle order and bowls leg-spin.
Why Shadab’s absence hurts Pakistan
Shadab had been among Pakistan’s standout performers in the tournament. His finest innings came against England in the fourth match, when he smashed 113 off 96 deliveries, including 13 fours and five sixes.
That innings won Pakistan the match. Chasing a target of 242, Pakistan had slumped to 154 for nine. Shadab and Haris Rauf then added an unbeaten 84-run partnership to seal a one-wicket victory.
The innings did more than win one game. It secured Pakistan’s place in the final. Losing the player who produced it, on the day of the final itself, removes both a middle-order batting option and a bowling option from the side.
Faheem Ashraf is a capable replacement with bat and ball, but the swap still changes the shape of the team. Pakistan’s lower order loses the batter who rescued the side from 154 for nine, and the bowling attack loses a leg-spin option against a Sri Lanka batting line-up that knows these conditions well.
One change each
Sri Lanka also made one change to their line-up for the final. Maheesh Theekshana came in place of Eshan Malinga, giving Sri Lanka an extra spin option at the Gaddafi Stadium.
The two changes underline how finely balanced the final looked before a ball was bowled. Both sides adjusted their bowling attacks, and both captains had to rethink their plans on the morning of the match.
Playing XIs
| Pakistan | Sri Lanka |
|---|---|
| Fakhar Zaman | Kamindu Mendis |
| Maaz Sadaqat | Avishka Fernando |
| Babar Azam | Kusal Mendis (captain, wicketkeeper) |
| Saad Baig (wicketkeeper) | Pavan Rathnayake |
| Hasan Nawaz | Dasun Shanaka |
| Salman Ali Agha | Janith Liyanage |
| Arafat Minhas | Sahan Arachchige |
| Faheem Ashraf | Dunith Wellalage |
| Shaheen Afridi (captain) | Maheesh Theekshana |
| Haris Rauf | Asitha Fernando |
| Naseem Shah | Dilshan Madushanka |
Related cricket coverage on Feature Pakistan includes Mike Hesson’s preview of the tri-series final, the tri-series final preview from Lahore and Pakistan’s Hong Kong Sixes Plate final berth.
Frequently asked questions
Why is Shadab Khan missing the tri-series final?
He was struck on the head by a bouncer during Pakistan’s fifth tri-series match against Sri Lanka. The PCB ruled him out of the final on medical grounds.
Who replaced Shadab in the playing XI?
Faheem Ashraf replaced him in the Pakistan XI for the final at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
What did Shadab do earlier in the tournament?
He scored 113 off 96 balls against England, including 13 fours and five sixes, and shared an unbeaten 84-run partnership with Haris Rauf to win the match by one wicket while chasing 242.
Did Sri Lanka make any changes?
Yes. Sri Lanka brought in Maheesh Theekshana in place of Eshan Malinga for the final.
