Babar Returns, Rizwan Dropped for Australia Series

Pakistan have announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia, with star batter Babar Azam returning to the side. However, the biggest surprise is the omission of senior wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan.

The squad announcement comes after Pakistan’s disappointing 0-2 Test series whitewash against Bangladesh. Following that poor performance, the selectors have made several major changes to the ODI setup.

Rizwan managed only 58 runs in three matches during Pakistan’s ODI series against Bangladesh in March. Despite that, he had been one of Pakistan’s most consistent performers last year, scoring 569 runs in 17 ODIs, including one century and four fifties.

Meanwhile, Babar Azam had himself been dropped from the Bangladesh ODI series in March, reportedly as a reaction to his poor T20 World Cup form. The former captain has now earned a recall after an outstanding 2025 ODI campaign in which he scored 544 runs in 17 matches at an impressive average of 77.16.

In Rizwan’s absence, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori and former Under-19 standout Rohail Nazir have been named as the squad’s wicketkeeper-batters. Usman Khan was not considered due to illness.

Shaheen Shah Afridi will lead the side, while Salman Ali Agha has been appointed vice-captain. Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan and spinner Sufyan Moqim have also returned to the squad.

Pakistan are still without opener Fakhar Zaman and young batter Saim Ayub, both of whom remain sidelined with injuries and are continuing their rehabilitation programmes. Uncapped players Ahmed Daniyal and Arafat Minhas have earned places in the squad.

The team will assemble in Islamabad on Friday before beginning training under head coach Mike Hesson on Saturday. The Australian team is also expected to arrive in Islamabad on the same day.

Pakistan ODI Squad:

Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Naseem Shah, Rohail Nazir, Sahibzada Farhan, Shadab Khan, Shamyl Hussain and Sufyan Moqim.

Series Schedule:

May 30 – 1st ODI, Rawalpindi

June 2 – 2nd ODI, Lahore

June 4 – 3rd ODI, Lahore