Babar Azam and Naseem Shah have been recalled to Pakistan’s T20I squad for the upcoming home series against South Africa and the tri-series involving Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. The 15-member squad also sees a return for Abdul Samad while Usman Tariq is the only uncapped member of the squad.
The three-match T20I series against South Africa will be played in Rawalpindi and Lahore from October 28 to November 1, followed by the tri-series at the same venues from November 17 to 29.
Babar and Naseem last played T20Is in late 2024 and weren’t part of the recent Asia Cup. But their recall raises possibilities of their selection to next year’s T20 World Cup in four months’ time. Interestingly, Fakhar Zaman and Haris Rauf are only part of the reserves, alongside Sufiyan Moqim.
Pakistan 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 (wk), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan (wk), Usman Tariq.
Reserves: Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Moqim.
Meanwhile, Pakistan and South Africa will also play three ODIs in Faisalabad from November 4 to 8, before Pakistan host Sri Lanka for another ODI series in Rawalpindi from November 11 to 15.
For the ODIs,new captain Shaheen Shah Afridi will skipper a 16-member squad that includes returns for Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf and wicketkeeper-batter Haseebullah.
Pakistan ODI squad:Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha.
