Babar Back for T20s as Pakistan Reveal Squads

News Desk 

Lahore: Former captain Babar Azam has made his return to Pakistan’s T20I setup as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday announced squads for the upcoming white-ball home series against South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe.

Babar, who last featured in the shortest format against South Africa in Centurion in December 2024, was previously rested for the Bangladesh, West Indies, and Asia Cup 2025 series.

A 15-member squad has been named for the T20I series against South Africa and the subsequent tri-nation tournament, while a 16-member lineup will represent Pakistan in the ODIs against South Africa and Sri Lanka.

Salman Ali Agha has been retained as captain for the T20I side, whereas Shaheen Shah Afridi will lead the national team in ODIs for the first time. The T20I squad also sees the return of Abdul Samad and Naseem Shah, while Usman Tariq has earned his maiden call-up.

For the ODIs, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, and Haseebullah have been recalled to the national setup.

The home season begins with a three-match T20I series against South Africa, scheduled to be played in Rawalpindi and Lahore from October 28 to November 1. This will be followed by a three-match ODI series in Faisalabad from November 4 to 8.

Pakistan will then host Sri Lanka for another ODI series in Rawalpindi from November 11 to 15, before concluding the home season with a T20I tri-series involving Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe from November 17 to 29.

Pakistan T20I squad (15-member):

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-member):

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 T20Is:

Oct 28 – 1st T20I, Rawalpindi

Oct 31 – 2nd T20I, Lahore

Nov 1 – 3rd T20I, Lahore

South Africa ODIs:

Nov 4 – 1st ODI, Faisalabad

Nov 6 – 2nd ODI, Faisalabad

Nov 8 – 3rd ODI, Faisalabad

Sri Lanka ODIs:

Nov 11 – 1st ODI, Rawalpindi

Nov 13 – 2nd ODI, Rawalpindi

Nov 15 – 3rd ODI, Rawalpindi

T20I Tri-Series (Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe):

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