Pakistan has added former captain Babar Azam back to their T20I team after his absence for the entire year, giving him an opportunity to rejuvenate his career in the shortest format of cricket. Babar had not been part of the T20I squad since Pakistan’s tour of South Africa in December 2024, following a transition signaled by new head coach Mike Hesson. The selectors have turned to Babar after Pakistan’s struggles in the Asia Cup highlighted their batting weaknesses. Meanwhile, Mohammad Rizwan, who recently lost his position as ODI captain, has once again missed out on a spot in the T20I squad. Babar’s return to the T20I team comes ahead of next year’s T20 World Cup.
Pakistan has unveiled their T20I squad for the upcoming series against South Africa and a tri-series involving Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, all scheduled to take place on home soil. Additionally, the ODI squad, led by new captain Shaheen Afridi, has been announced for the home series against Sri Lanka and South Africa, with Rizwan retained as the wicketkeeper for both ODI series.
The cricketing action will kick off with three T20Is and as many ODIs against South Africa, followed by a three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka. The T20I tri-series, excluding Afghanistan, is set to commence on November 17.
Speculation suggested leg-spinner Shadab Khan might replace Salman Ali Agha as the T20I captain, but the selectors have chosen to support Agha despite his underwhelming performances in the Asia Cup. Noteworthy exclusions from the squads are opener Fakhar Zaman and fast bowler Haris Rauf, who find themselves in the reserves along with spinner Suiyan Moqim.
Babar was stripped of the T20I captaincy after Pakistan’s disappointing display in the previous year’s T20 World Cup. Although he averaged 33.54 and scored 738 runs in 24 matches, concerns were raised due to his strike rate of 133.21. Hesson stressed the need for players capable of accelerating the run rate, prompting Babar’s reintroduction to bolster the team’s batting lineup.
The Pakistan T20I squad comprises 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), and Usman Tariq. Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, and Sufiyan Moqim have been named as reserves.
In the ODI squad, Shahen Shah Afridi leads the team, accompanied by players like Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, and Salman Ali Agha.
The upcoming cricket schedule for Pakistan includes series against South Africa and Sri Lanka, as well as the T20I tri-series involving Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe in the following weeks.