Dambulla: Former Pakistan captain Rashid Latif has backed the inclusion of young wicketkeeper-batsman Khawaja Nafey in the national squad for the 2026 T20 World Cup co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.
In a recent post on his social media handle ‘X’, Latif lauded Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha’s fiery cameo in the third and final T20I against Sri Lanka on Sunday and also expressed his support for Nafey, who made his international debut in the same match.
“Captain played well tonight. Wicket keeper Khawaja Nafe for WC 26,” Latif wrote.
Sri Lanka thumped Pakistan in a rain-hit third T20I at the Rangiri Dambulla International Stadium, leveling the series 1-1 after the second match was abandoned due to rain.
Batting first in a shortened 12-over match, Sri Lanka posted 160-6, led by captain Dasun Shanaka, who scored 34 runs off 9 balls, including 5 sixes.
Kusal Mendis scored 30 runs off 16 balls, Janith Lienake scored 22 runs off 8 balls, Dhananjaya De Silva and Charit Asalanga scored 22 and 21 runs respectively.
Chasing 161 runs, Pakistan fell short by 14 runs and finished at 146-8.
Salman Ali Agha scored 45 off 12 balls with 5 fours and 3 sixes. Nafey scored 26 off 15 balls and Mohammad Nawaz scored 28 off 15 balls.
For Sri Lanka, Vanindu Hazaran finished with figures of 4/35 in three overs, supported by two wickets from Madisha Pathirana and a single from Eshan Malinga.
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