All-rounder Shadab Khan returned to the Pakistan XI for the first time since June last year as captain Salman Ali Agha won the toss and decided to field first in the opening Twenty20 International of the three-match series against Sri Lanka in Dambulla on Wednesday. Leg-spinner Shadab, who comes back after recovering from a shoulder injury — having impressed in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) in Australia — is part of a Pakistan team that is missing the likes of star players Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Haris Rauf. The trio, who are also featuring in the BBL, however, are likely to return for next month’s T20 World Cup with the current series serving as warm-up for both sides ahead of the showpiece, which is set to be co-hosted by Sri Lanka along with India. Pakistan, hence, will focus on testing their depth for the tournament they didn’t fare too well in its last edition. They have picked the likes of hard-hitting batter Abdul Samad and uncapped Khawaja Nafay. Batter Usman Khan and spinner Usman Tariq have also made the cut following impressive shows in Pakistan’s previous assignment; a tri-series title at home — the tournament having involved Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. “They are mega stars and they have done so well for Pakistan but the people we have brought here are very good players as well,” Salman told reporters on Tuesday. “They are the future of Pakistan, and hopefully they will come good.“ Shadab, meanwhile, after recovering from the injury, took seven wickets in six matches at 26.57 in the BBL and came in handy with the bat, scoring 104 runs across four innings. “He came back from a long injury and he has done well in the Big Bash,” Salman said, while adding that choosing from a range of all-rounders available in the squad was a “good headache”. “Managing all those spinners and all those all-rounders, I know it’s going to be tough, but to be very honest it’s a luxury to have all-rounders who can bowl and bat in any kind of conditions and situations.” Teams: PAKISTAN: Saim Ayub, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha, Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim, Salman Mirza, Abrar Ahmed SRI LANKA: Patthum Nissanka, Kamil, Mishara, Kusal Mendis, Dhananjaya de Silva, Charith Asalanka, Dasun Shanaka, Dunith Liyanage, Wanindu Hasaranga, Dushmantha Chameera, Maheesh Theekshana, Nuwan Thushara