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, of course, is the return of Babar Azam, Pakistan’s premier batter and former captain, who finds himself back in the T20I fold after nearly a year.
Babar Azam’s comeback ahead of T20 World Cup
Babar’s last T20I appearance came in December 2024, and his omission since then has drawn speculation for Pakistan’s poor showing at the 2025 Asia Cup. But with a T20 World Cup on the horizon, the selectors have gone back to experience. The 29-year-old will rejoin the side for the T20Is against South Africa and the tri-nation series featuring 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. Fakhar Zaman, meanwhile, has been dropped to reserves. Zaman struck at 120.67 despite being rated as a fearsome batter.
Babar is not alone in making a comeback as Abdul Samad and Naseem Shah also return after being left out of recent tours, while 24-year-old spinner Usman Tariq earns his first national call-up. With Salman Ali Agha leading the T20I squad and Shaheen Afridi continuing as ODI captain, the management appears to be building a balanced setup combining proven stars and emerging talents.
Haris Rauf dropped
The other big takeaway from the selection meeting is the dropping of Haris Rauf and Fakhar Zaman, both of whom endured poor campaigns at the Asia Cup earlier this year. Rauf’s expensive spells, including a 50-run hammering in the final against India, coupled with Fakhar’s inconsistency at the top, have pushed them out of the main squad.
Mohammad Haris has also been left out following a string of low scores, with Usman Khan coming in as the wicket-keeper. Left-arm spinner Sufiyan Moqim joins Fakhar and Rauf in the reserves list. Mohammad Rizwan is not selected for T20Is yet.
Pakistan’s T20I squad
Salman Ali Agha (captain), 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
Reserves: Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Moqim
Pakistan’s ODI squad
Shahen Shah Afridi (captain), 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
Pakistan Home Season 2025 Schedule
| Series | Date | Match | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa tour of Pakistan | 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 | |
| Sri Lanka tour of Pakistan | 11 November | 1st ODI | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi |
| 13 November | 2nd ODI | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi | |
| 15 November | 3rd ODI | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi | |
| T20I Tri-Series (Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe) | 17 November | Pakistan vs Zimbabwe | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi |
| 19 November | Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe | Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi | |
| 22 November | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | |
| 23 November | Pakistan vs Zimbabwe | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | |
| 25 November | Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | |
| 27 November | Pakistan vs Sri Lanka | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore | |
| 29 November | Final | Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore |
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