Pakistan Cricket Board announces squads for upcoming home series with South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe.
LAHORE: Former captain Babar Azam has made a much-anticipated return to Pakistan’s T20I squad as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) unveiled its squads for the upcoming home white-ball series against South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe.
Babar, who last played for Pakistan in T20Is during the South Africa series in Centurion in December 2024, had been absent for the series against Bangladesh, West Indies, and the Asia Cup 2025. His return adds a significant boost to the T20I squad, which will compete in a series against South Africa and a subsequent tri-nation event involving Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.
Leadership Changes: Salman Agha Retained, Shaheen Afridi to Lead ODIs
Salman Ali Agha has been retained as the T20I captain, while Shaheen Shah Afridi will lead the national team in ODIs for the first time. Afridi’s appointment as ODI captain marks a new chapter for Pakistan’s limited-overs setup.
Squad Updates: Return of Key Players
The T20I squad sees the return of Abdul Samad and Naseem Shah, while Usman Tariq earns his maiden call-up to the national team. In the ODI setup, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, and Haseebullah have been recalled, adding depth to the team’s fast-bowling and batting options.
Full Squad Announcements
For the T20I series, the 15-member squad includes key players such as Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Mohammad Wasim Jnr, while the ODI squad comprises 16 players, with Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, and Mohammad Rizwan among the notable names.
Pakistan T20I Squad (15 Members):
- Salman Ali Agha (captain)
- Abdul Samad
- Abrar Ahmed
- Babar Azam
- Faheem Ashraf
- Hasan Nawaz
- Mohammad Nawaz
- Mohammad Wasim Jnr
- Mohammad Salman Mirza
- Naseem Shah
- Sahibzada Farhan
- Saim Ayub
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
- Usman Khan (wicket-keeper)
- Usman Tariq
Reserves: Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Moqim.
Pakistan ODI Squad (16 Members):
- Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain)
- Abrar Ahmed
- Babar Azam
- Faheem Ashraf
- Faisal Akram
- Fakhar Zaman
- Haris Rauf
- Haseebullah
- Hasan Nawaz
- Hussain Talat
- Mohammad Nawaz
- Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper)
- Mohammad Wasim Jnr
- Naseem Shah
- Saim Ayub
- Salman Ali Agha
Series Schedule
South Africa T20I Series (Oct 28 – Nov 1):
- Oct 28: Pakistan v South Africa, 1st T20I, Rawalpindi
- Oct 31: Pakistan v South Africa, 2nd T20I, Lahore
- Nov 1: Pakistan v South Africa, 3rd T20I, Lahore
South Africa ODI Series (Nov 4 – 8):
- Nov 4: Pakistan v South Africa, 1st ODI, Faisalabad
- Nov 6: Pakistan v South Africa, 2nd ODI, Faisalabad
- Nov 8: Pakistan v South Africa, 3rd ODI, Faisalabad
Sri Lanka ODI Series (Nov 11 – 15):
- Nov 11: Pakistan v Sri Lanka, 1st ODI, Rawalpindi
- Nov 13: Pakistan v Sri Lanka, 2nd ODI, Rawalpindi
- Nov 15: Pakistan v Sri Lanka, 3rd ODI, Rawalpindi
T20I Tri-Series (Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe) (Nov 17 – 29):
- Nov 17: Pakistan v Zimbabwe, Rawalpindi
- Nov 19: Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe, Rawalpindi
- Nov 22: Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Lahore
- Nov 23: Pakistan v Zimbabwe, Lahore
- Nov 25: Sri Lanka v Zimbabwe, Lahore
- Nov 27: Pakistan v Sri Lanka, Lahore
- Nov 29: Final, Lahore
