The winds of change continue to sweep through Pakistan cricket as the selectors announced their T20I and ODI squads for the upcoming home season. The biggest headline is the return of Babar Azam, Pakistan’s premier batter and former captain, who has been recalled to the T20I side after nearly a year.
Babar last featured in a T20 international back in December 2024, and his prolonged absence had become a major talking point amid Pakistan’s disappointing 2025 Asia Cup campaign. With the T20 World Cup 2026 drawing closer, the selectors have opted for experience, reinstating Babar for the T20I series against South Africa and the tri-nation series featuring Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.
Pakistan’s batting lineup struggled during the Asia Cup, lacking intent and consistency. Sahibzada Farhan scored fifties but at a strike rate of just 116.04, while Fakhar Zaman, who managed a strike rate of 120.67, has been moved to the reserves list.
The selectors have also brought back Abdul Samad and Naseem Shah, while 24-year-old spinner Usman Tariq earns his maiden national call-up. Salman Ali Agha will captain the T20I squad, with Shaheen Shah Afridi continuing as the ODI skipper, signaling a transitional phase combining senior experience with youthful energy.
Among the notable omissions, Haris Rauf and Fakhar Zaman have been dropped from the main T20I squad following poor Asia Cup performances. Rauf’s expensive spells, including conceding 50 runs in the final against India, coupled with Fakhar’s inconsistency, led to their exclusion. Mohammad Haris has also been left out due to a string of low scores, with Usman Khan taking over wicket-keeping duties.
The T20I squad includes Salman Ali Agha (captain), Babar Azam, Abdul Samad, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Wasim Jr, and Saim Ayub, among others.
The ODI squad, led by Shaheen Afridi, features Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Fakhar Zaman, signaling stability in the longer white-ball format.
Pakistan’s home season begins with the South Africa series on October 28 in Rawalpindi, followed by ODIs against Sri Lanka and a tri-nation T20I series in Lahore and Rawalpindi through late November.
Babar’s return adds a renewed sense of stability and leadership to Pakistan’s setup as they gear up for a crucial season leading into the T20 World Cup year.
