The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday announced the national squads for the upcoming T20 International series against South Africa and the tri-nation T20 series next month, along with the ODI squad for the home series against South Africa and Sri Lanka.
Former captain Babar Azam and fast bowler Naseem Shah have made their return to the T20 format after nearly a year, having featured only in ODIs over the past season. Salman Ali Agha will continue to lead the T20 side.
Babar, Naseem Back; Fakhar Among Reserves
The 15-member T20 squad includes: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan, and Usman Tariq.
Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has been dropped from the T20 side, with Usman Khan named as the wicketkeeper.
Fakhar Zaman, who played in the recent Asia Cup, has been included among the reserves alongside Haris Rauf and Sufyan Muqeem. Meanwhile, Mohammad Haris and Hussain Talat have been left out of the squad.
The three-match T20 series against South Africa will be played from October 28 to November 1 in Rawalpindi and Lahore, followed by the tri-nation series featuring Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe from November 17 to 19, also in Rawalpindi and Lahore.
Originally, Afghanistan was scheduled to be part of the tri-series, but the Afghanistan Cricket Board withdrew following the reported killing of three Afghan cricketers amid recent border tensions between the two countries.
Shaheen Afridi to Lead ODI Squad
The PCB also announced a 16-member ODI squad for the upcoming series against South Africa and Sri Lanka, with Shaheen Shah Afridi leading the side. The fast bowler had earlier been appointed Pakistan’s 32nd ODI captain, replacing Mohammad Rizwan.
The selection, made under the supervision of Aaqib Javed and white-ball head coach Mike Hesson, has sparked debate among fans. Many on social media likened the frequent captaincy changes in Pakistan cricket to a “musical chairs game.”
Under Shaheen’s leadership, Lahore Qalandars won two consecutive PSL titles, but his earlier stint as Pakistan’s T20I captain ended after a 4-1 series loss to New Zealand.
Rizwan, who captained Pakistan in 20 ODIs (winning 9 and losing 11), is credited with series victories against Australia and South Africa on their home soil, averaging over 41 runs per innings as captain. However, his recent defeats in the Champions Trophy, and series losses to New Zealand and the West Indies, reportedly weakened his position.
ODI Squad:
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 (wicketkeeper), Mohammad Wasim Jr., Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha.
Pakistan and South Africa will play a three-match ODI series at the Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad, from November 4 to 8, followed by another three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from November 11 to 15.