Babar Azam out of Pakistan’s ODI setup now! Mike Hesson makes 1st move

Pakistan’s white-ball squad is set to start a training camp in Lahore, starting on Monday, October 13, as they prepare for a three-match ODI and T20I series against South Africa later this month. The camp has been organized by head coach Mike Hesson, who has invited the players to take part in the sessions.

The South African cricket team is currently in Pakistan for a multi-format series. Notably, the first Test between the two teams is underway at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore and is set to continue until next Thursday. The second Test is set to take place at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from October 20 to 24.

Pakistan’s White-Ball Team to Begin Training Camp in Lahore

According to Geo News, Pakistan’s white-ball team will start a training camp in Lahore ahead of their three-match ODI and T20I series against South Africa.

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White-ball players are expected to report for the camp. Mike Hesson will use the sessions to hone skills specifically for white-ball cricket, with several players, including Sahibzada Farhan, Hasan Nawaz, Faheem Ashraf, Haris Rauf, and Naseem Shah, expected to participate.

"Pakistan’s white-ball cricket team is set to begin a training camp in Lahore ahead of their three-match ODI and T20I series against South Africa later this month," sources told Geo News on Sunday.

Players for White-Ball Camp to Miss Quaid-e-Azam Trophy

The report added that players selected for Pakistan’s white-ball training camp will miss the second round of the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2025-26. Ahead of the T20 and ODI series against South Africa, Hussain Talat and Khushdil Shah are expected to be dropped, while Irfan Niazi is likely to return to the team.

"Players selected for the white-ball camp will not feature in the second round of the ongoing Quaid-e-Azam Trophy 2025-26," sources also confirmed.

"Ahead of the T20 and ODI series, minor changes in the Pakistan squad are expected. Hussain Talat and Khushdil Shah are likely to be dropped, while Irfan Niazi could make a return to the team," the sources added.

Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan Integral to Pakistan’s ODI Plans

After the conclusion of the Test series, Pakistan and South Africa will face off in a three-match T20I contest between October 28 and November 1. The opening game will be hosted in Rawalpindi, followed by the remaining two matches at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

The bilateral tour will conclude with a three-match ODI series from November 4 to 8, with all fixtures set to be played at Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad.

Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have been part of Pakistan’s ODI plans. Both players were omitted from the earlier T20I series against New Zealand, as selectors aimed to give emerging talent more exposure.

Rizwan, who briefly captained the T20 side, was replaced by Salman Ali Agha as skipper. There have been rumors on social media suggesting that Salman might lose his captaincy and that Babar and Rizwan could return to the T20 squad.

However, the management and selection committee plan to maintain the current leadership and squad structure at least until the T20 World Cup, despite growing scrutiny following Pakistan’s inconsistent batting performances in the 2025 Asia Cup.

Also read: New Zealand T20 Squad for England announced; Kane Williamson's future uncertain