LAHORE: After months out, former captain Babar Azam has returned to Pakistan’s T20I squad, just in time for a thrilling home season. PCB announces squads for upcoming white-ball series against South Africa, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, a mix of experience and fresh faces.
The star batsman has been recalled to the national T20I squad, as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday announced the squad for the upcoming white-ball home series against South Africa, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. Babar, who last appeared in a T20I against South Africa in Centurion in December 2024, missed recent assignments against Bangladesh, West Indies, and the Asia Cup 2025. His return marks a significant addition to Pakistan’s batting line-up ahead of a busy home season.
The board has announced a 15-member squad for the T20I series against South Africa and the tri-series that follows, while a group of 16 players will be involved in the ODIs against South Africa and Sri Lanka.
Salman Ali Agha retains the T20 captaincy while Shaheen Shah Afridi will take charge of the ODI team for the first time in his career. Among the notable changes, Abdul Samad and Naseem Shah return to the T20 team, and Usman Tariq earns his first call-up.
For the ODIs, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, and Haseebullah have been brought back into the squad, reflecting a mix of experience and youth as Pakistan prepare for a long home run.
The T20I series against South Africa begins on October 28 in Rawalpindi, followed by matches in Lahore on October 31 and November 1. The ODI series will be played in Faisalabad from November 4 to 8.
Pakistan will then host Sri Lanka for three ODIs in Rawalpindi from November 11 to 15, preceded by a tri-nation T20I series involving Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, to be played in Rawalpindi and Lahore from November 17 to 29.
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 (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha.
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 (wk), Usman Tariq.
Reserves: Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Moqim.
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