Babar Azam Back as Pakistan Names T20I and ODI Squads

Pakistan cricket is set for some big changes as the selectors have revealed their T20I and ODI squads for the upcoming home season. The biggest news is the comeback of Babar Azam, Pakistan’s star batter and former captain, who will be playing T20Is again after almost a year away.

Babar Azam last played a T20I in December 2024, and his absence since then had raised questions after Pakistan struggled in the 2025 Asia Cup. With the T20 World Cup coming up, the selectors have decided to bring back some experience. The 29-year-old will return to the team for the T20Is against South Africa, as well as the tri-nation series with Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. Pakistan’s batting looked clueless at the Asia Cup 2025, with their players batting at a nominal rate. Sahibzada Farhan scored fifties but his strike rate was just 116.04.

Babar Azam Back, New and Experienced Players Included

Fakhar Zaman, meanwhile, has been dropped to reserves. Zaman struck at 120.67 despite being rated as a fearsome batter. Babar isn’t the only one coming back. Abdul Samad and Naseem Shah are also returning after missing recent tours, and 24-year-old spinner Usman Tariq is getting his first call-up to the national team. With Salman Ali Agha as T20I captain and Shaheen Afridi continuing as ODI captain, the team seems to be mixing experienced players with new talent.

Haris Rauf and Fakhar Zaman have been left out of the main squad after struggling at the Asia Cup earlier this year. Rauf bowled expensive spells, including giving away 50 runs in the final against India, while Fakhar was inconsistent as an opening batsman. Mohammad Haris has been dropped after scoring low in recent games, and Usman Khan will take his place as wicket-keeper. Left-arm spinner Sufiyan Moqim is added to the reserves along with Fakhar and Rauf. Mohammad Rizwan has not been picked for the T20Is yet.

Pakistan’s 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 (wicket-keeper), Usman Tariq

Pakistan’s ODI squad: Shahen Shah Afridi (c), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha

South Africa tour of Pakistan Schedule

Date	Match	Venue
28 October	1st T20I	Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
31 October	2nd T20I	Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
1 November	3rd T20I	Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
4 November	1st ODI	Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
6 November	2nd ODI	Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
8 November	3rd ODI	Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad

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