Pakistan T20 squad for Bangladesh announced; Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan thrown OUT

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) have named a 16-member squad for their upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh at home, set to be played in Lahore. Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam, wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, and fast bowler Shaheen Afridi have been left out of the squad.

Selectors have picked their squad for the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh based on players’ performances in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2025. The series will also be the first for Mike Hesson as the new head coach. Notably, the schedule will be announced in the coming days.

Pakistan Announce Squad for Bangladesh T20I Series

The PCB confirmed that Salman Ali Agha will continue as captain in an official statement on its website. All three matches will be played at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, and the schedule will be announced soon.

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"The selection committee has named a 16-member men’s squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh, with Salman Ali Agha continuing as captain of the team," the statement read.

"All three matches will be held at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, with the schedule set to be announced soon."

"The squad has been selected based on players’ performances in the ongoing HBL PSL X, which concludes on 25 May. This series also marks the first assignment for newly appointed head coach Mike Hesson."

Fakhar Zaman Returns to National Team For Upcoming Series

Veteran batter Fakhar Zaman is set to make his return to the national team after suffering an injury during the ICC Champions Trophy 2025. Opener Saim Ayub is also included in the squad after recovering from a fractured ankle earlier this year.

Shadab Khan has been appointed as the vice-captain of the squad. The team includes Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, and Hasan Ali.

Pakistan T20I Squad For Bangladesh Series: Salman Ali Agha (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub

Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi Performances in PSL 2025

Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Afridi have been left out of Pakistan’s T20I squad. They were previously excluded for the series against New Zealand in April. However, they returned to the squad for the ODI series in New Zealand.

Babar Azam has scored 288 runs over 10 matches in PSL 10, including three half-centuries. Rizwan has amassed 367 runs with a best score of 105. Shaheen Afridi has taken 11 wickets across 10 matches. Notably, all three players serve as captains for their respective PSL franchises.

Pakistan and Bangladesh have agreed to play only three T20Is instead of the originally planned five matches. The PCB had planned that the series would start on May 25 in Faisalabad, but it was relocated as part of the mutual decision between both boards.

Also read: BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia issues official statement on India’s withdrawal from ACC events