The National Men’s Selection Committee has announced a 16-member squad for Pakistan’s upcoming three-match One-Day International (ODI) series against Australia, scheduled to run from May 30 to June 4 in Rawalpindi and Lahore.
Left-arm speedster Shaheen Shah Afridi retains his captaincy, anchoring a squad that sees the return of several marquee players. Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan, and Sufyan Moqim-all of whom missed March’s away series against Bangladesh-have been recalled to the national side. Salman Ali Agha will serve as the vice-captain.
Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas and Rohail Nazir are the three players selected in the squad who are yet to represent Pakistan in ODI cricket.
Muhammad Ghazi Ghori and Rohail have been named as the two wicketkeeper-batters in the squad after Usman Khan was not considered for selection due to illness. Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub were also not considered for selection as they had earlier been ruled out due to injuries and will continue their rehabilitation programmes under the supervision of the PCB medical panel.
The 16-member squad will gather in Islamabad later tonight and train under the coaching staff from May 23. The media advisory regarding the camp will be shared in due course.
Australia men’s team will arrive in Islamabad on May 23 (Saturday). They will also take part in training sessions at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, details of which will be announced in due course.
Pakistan squad: Shaheen Afridi (captain), Salman Agha (vice-captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghori (wicket-keeper), Naseem Shah, Rohail Nazir (wicket-keeper), Sahibzada Farhan, Shadab Khan, Shamyl Hussain and Sufyan Moqim
Team Management: Naveed Akram Cheema (manager), Mike Hesson (head coach), Ashley Noffke (bowling coach), Hanif Malik (batting coach), Shane McDermott (fielding coach), Iftikhar (physiotherapist), Grant Luden (strength and conditioning coach), Talha Ejaz (analyst), Syed Naeem Ahmad (media manager), Col. Usman Anwari (security manager), Dr Wajid Ali Rafai (team doctor) and Muhammad Ehsan (masseur).