Babar Azam Returns to Pakistan T20 Squad as Major Changes Mark a New Chapter

After a long break, former Pakistan captain Babar Azam has returned to the national T20 squad. On Thursday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the squads for the upcoming home series against South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe, marking a new phase for Pakistan cricket with several key changes.

Babar last appeared in a T20 international in December 2024, against South Africa in Centurion. Since then, he had been left out of the squads for the Bangladesh, West Indies, and Asia Cup series.

In the latest announcement, PCB named a 15-member T20 squad and a 16-member ODI squad. Salman Ali Agha will continue as the T20 captain, while Shaheen Shah Afridi has been appointed ODI captain for the first time.

Alongside Babar, Naseem Shah and Abdul Samad have also returned to the T20 setup. Usman Tariq has earned his maiden call-up to the side. In the ODI squad, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, and Hasibullah have made comebacks.

The three-match T20 series against South Africa will be played from October 28 to November 1 in Rawalpindi and Lahore. It will be followed by a three-match ODI series from November 4 to 8 in Faisalabad.

Next, Pakistan will host Sri Lanka for another three-match ODI series in Rawalpindi from November 11 to 15, before concluding their home season with a Tri-Nation T20 Series involving Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe from November 17 to 29.

Pakistan T20 Squad:
Salman Ali Agha (Captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan (wk), Usman Tariq.

Reserves: Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem.