The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled the national squads for the upcoming busy season of white-ball cricket at home, headlined by former captain Babar Azam’s return to the T20I side.
Babar, who last played a T20I for Pakistan in Centurion against South Africa in December 2024, has been recalled after being sidelined for recent series against Bangladesh, West Indies, and the Asia Cup 2025.
The board announced a 15-member squad for the T20I series against South Africa and the subsequent tri-nation tournament, alongside a 16-member squad for the ODI legs against South Africa and Sri Lanka.
In a continuation of the team’s leadership structure, Salman Ali Agha has been retained as the T20I captain. Meanwhile, star pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi is set to lead the national side in ODIs for the first time.
The T20I squad sees the return of all-rounder Abdul Samad and fast bowler Naseem Shah, while spinner Usman Tariq received his maiden call-up to the national team. For the ODI squad, left-arm wrist-spinner Faisal Akram, along with fast bowler Haris Rauf and wicketkeeper-batter Haseebullah, have been recalled.
Match Schedule
The home season will commence with a three-match T20I series against South Africa, hosted in Rawalpindi and Lahore from October 28 to November 1. This will be followed by a three-match ODI series against the Proteas in Faisalabad from November 4 to 8.
Pakistan will then host Sri Lanka for another three-match ODI series in Rawalpindi from November 11 to 15. The white-ball season will culminate in a T20I tri-series featuring Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe, running from November 17 to 29 across Rawalpindi and Lahore.
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.
