The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced the national squads for the upcoming white-ball series against South Africa. The announcement includes both the T20 International and One Day International (ODI) lineups, with some key players making their return to the national setup.
According to the PCB, the same squads will also represent Pakistan in the Sri Lanka ODI series and the Tri-Nation T20 series involving Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, scheduled to take place later this year.
Babar Azam and Naseem Shah Back in T20 Action
One of the major highlights of the announcement is the return of former captain Babar Azam and fast bowler Naseem Shah to the T20I squad. Both players were previously sidelined but are now back in action, strengthening Pakistan’s top and middle order as well as their bowling attack.
In addition, Usman Tariq has received his first-ever call-up to the national T20I squad, marking a significant milestone in his career.
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Pakistan T20I Squad Overview
The PCB named a 15-member T20I squad, which will be led by Salman Ali Agha. The team includes a mix of experienced players and promising young talents.
T20I 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 Afridi
- Usman Khan
- Usman Tariq
Reserves: Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Sufyan Muqeem
This squad combines explosive batting power with a well-rounded bowling lineup, giving Pakistan depth and flexibility in both departments.
Pakistan ODI Squad for South Africa Series
For the ODI series, Pakistan has named a 16-member squad with Shaheen Afridi appointed as captain. The selection reflects a balance between experience and youth, ensuring strong representation in all formats.
ODI Squad:
- Shaheen Afridi (Captain)
- Abrar Ahmed
- Babar Azam
- Faheem Ashraf
- Faisal Akram
- Fakhar Zaman
- Haris Rauf
- Haseebullah Khan
- Hasan Nawaz
- Hussain Talat
- Mohammad Nawaz
- Mohammad Rizwan
- Mohammad Wasim Jr.
- Naseem Shah
- Saim Ayub
- Salman Ali Agha
This ODI lineup features a strong batting order led by Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, while Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf form a powerful pace attack.
Pakistan’s Upcoming White-Ball Schedule
Pakistan’s T20I series against South Africa is set to begin on October 28 and will continue until November 1. After that, the team will participate in the Tri-Nation T20 series involving Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, taking place from November 17 to 29 in Rawalpindi and Lahore.
These matches will serve as crucial preparation for Pakistan ahead of the next international season, helping the selectors test combinations and evaluate player form across formats.
Final Thoughts
The return of Babar Azam and Naseem Shah is expected to boost Pakistan’s confidence and stability in the white-ball setup. With Salman Ali Agha and Shaheen Afridi leading the T20 and ODI sides respectively, Pakistan aims to build momentum and consistency before the upcoming global tournaments.
Fans are eagerly waiting to see how this refreshed squad performs in the high-intensity contests against South Africa and beyond.
