Shaheen Afridi thrown out of Pakistan team a day after being named ODI captain

Pakistan’s star batters Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are expected to be left out once again for the upcoming three-match T20I series against South Africa at home. Left-arm pacer Shaheen Afridi, who was appointed as ODI captain, is also likely to be rested from the T20Is to manage his workload.

Pakistan had poor batting in the Asia Cup 2025, where they lost in the final. There was speculation about possible T20I returns for Babar and Rizwan. However, with Babar struggling for form in the Test series against South Africa, the selectors would want to stick with the younger squad led by Salman Ali Agha.

Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan to Miss T20I Series Against South Africa

Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan are set to miss Pakistan’s upcoming T20I series against South Africa, as confirmed by Geo News journalist Sohail Imran and Qadir Khawaja on social media.

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The selectors are expected to make two or three changes to the squad that featured in the Asia Cup, but neither of the senior batters is likely to return.

Babar and Rizwan have been absent from Pakistan’s T20I setup throughout 2025, including the home and away series against Bangladesh and the West Indies, and the Asia Cup 2025.

The team management and selectors appear to be shifting focus toward younger talent ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup. Babar scored 288 runs at a strike rate of 128.57, while Rizwan amassed 367 runs at a strike rate of 139.54 during the PSL 2025. They last played a T20I match in December 2024.

Shaheen Afridi Likely to Be Rested for T20I Series Against South Africa

Shaheen Afridi is expected to be rested from the upcoming T20I series against South Africa to manage his workload. Shaheen Afridi featured in both Tests against the Proteas and has been named Pakistan’s new ODI captain.

The report added that Khushdil Shah and Hussain Talat, who were part of the Asia Cup squad, are likely to be dropped. Meanwhile, Irfan Khan Niazi and Naseem Shah could be recalled to the team, while Haris Rauf’s participation remains uncertain.

With Mohammad Rizwan not included, Mohammad Haris is expected to retain the wicketkeeping role. The selectors may also back Saim Ayub despite his poor Asia Cup form, with Pakistan likely to retain most of their Asia Cup core for the series.

Shaheen Afridi Led Pakistan in T20Is Against New Zealand in Early 2024

Shaheen Afridi led Pakistan in T20Is during a five-match series against New Zealand in early 2024, where they lost 1-4. PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi reappointed Babar Azam as captain ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024, where they suffered a group-stage exit.

The T20I series between Pakistan and South Africa will begin on October 28 at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The second and third matches will take place at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on October 31 and November 1, respectively.

According to reports, Pakistan’s T20 squad is set to assemble in Islamabad on October 25, with a joint training session alongside the South African team scheduled for October 26.

Also read: BCCI contacts Mohsin Naqvi for Asia Cup trophy; PCB chief sets unreal condition as ICC action looms