Babar Azam back, Pakistan T20 Squad, ODI squad vs South Africa picked; Haris Rauf punished

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the white-ball squad for the home series against South Africa and the Tri-Series featuring Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. Star batter Babar Azam, who last played for Pakistan in a T20I match in December 2024 against South Africa, has returned to the T20I squad.

Babar Azam had been absent from Pakistan’s squads for the Bangladesh, West Indies, and Asia Cup 2025 series. Pakistan performed poorly with the bat at the Asia Cup. They lost all three matches, including the final clash in Dubai against Team India, led by Suryakumar Yadav.

With the T20 World Cup approaching, selectors have opted for experience, bringing the 29-year-old back for the upcoming T20Is against South Africa and the tri-nation series featuring Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.

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Babar Azam Returns to Pakistan’s T20I Squad Ahead of 2026 World Cup Preparations

The selectors have made several changes to Pakistan’s white-ball squads ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. Babar Azam and Naseem Shah have returned to the T20I setup after being left out of recent tours, while 24-year-old spinner Usman Tariq has earned his first call-up to the national side.

Abdul Samad has made his return to the T20I squad, and keeper-batter Usman Khan has replaced Mohammad Haris as wicketkeeper. Sufiyan Muqeem, Haris Rauf, and Fakhar Zaman have been named as reserves.

In Pakistan’s ODI squad, Shaheen Afridi has been appointed as captain, while wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has retained his place. Wrist-spinner Faisal Akram has also been recalled to the squad.

Haris Rauf and Fakhar Zaman Dropped from Pakistan’s T20I Squad After Asia Cup Struggles

Haris Rauf and Fakhar Zaman have been excluded from Pakistan’s T20I squad following disappointing performances at the Asia Cup. Rauf struggled with expensive bowling spells, including conceding 50 runs in the final against India, while Fakhar’s inconsistency at the top of the order worked against him.

Left-arm spinner Sufiyan Moqim has been named in the reserves alongside Rauf and Fakhar. Notably, Mohammad Rizwan has not been included in the T20I squad.

Pakistan will play white-ball matches at home across October and November. The three-match T20I series against South Africa is scheduled in Rawalpindi and Lahore from October 28 to November 1, followed by a three-match ODI series in Faisalabad from November 4 to 8.

Afterward, Pakistan will host Sri Lanka for a three-match ODI series in Rawalpindi from November 11 to 15. The team will then take part in a T20I tri-nation series featuring Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, set to run from November 17 to 29.

Pakistan Announce Squads for Upcoming Home White-Ball Series

Pakistan T20I squad: Salman Ali Agha (c), 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, Usman Tariq. Reserves: Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Moqim

Pakistan ODI squad: Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), 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, Salman Ali Agha

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