Babar Azam Returns as Pakistan Unveils Squads for South Africa and Sri Lanka Series

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled a packed home-season lineup, announcing 15- and 16-member squads for a series of upcoming white-ball fixtures that include T20Is against South Africa, a tri-nation T20I series featuring Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, and ODI series against both South Africa and Sri Lanka.

The National Selection Committee has decided to recall former captain Babar Azam to the team, who has not been part of the T20I squad since December 2024. Many had attributed his absence to Pakistan’s poor showing at the 2025 Asia Cup, and Babar now has a chance to earn his place back permanently ahead of the T20 World Cup.

Babar Azam isn’t the only name making a comeback to the Pakistan squads for the South Africa and tri-nation series. Abdul Samad and Naseem Shah have also been recalled after being left out of recent series, while rising spinner Usman Tariq has received his maiden call-up, making him the only uncapped player in the squad.

Most notably, Mohammad Haris has paid the price for his poor batting form, with Usman Khan being recruited into the team as the wicket-keeper. Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf and Sufiyan Moqim have been relegated to the reserves list.

Pakistan’s T20I Squad

Salman Ali Agha 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 Usman Tariq

Reserves: Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Moqim

Meanwhile, the ODI squad features the comebacks of Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, and wicketkeeper-batter Haseebullah.

Pakistan’s ODI Squad

Shaheen Shah Afridi Abrar Ahmed Babar Azam Faheem Ashraf Faisal Akram Fakhar Zaman Haris Rauf Haseebullah Hasan Nawaz Hussain Talat Mohammad Nawaz Mohammad Rizwan Mohammad Wasim Jnr Naseem Shah Saim Ayub Salman Ali Agha

The action begins with a three-match T20I series against South Africa, starting on 28 October in Rawalpindi, followed by two matches in Lahore on 31 October and 1 November. The focus will then shift to ODIs, as Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium hosts three games from 4 to 8 November under the leadership of Shaheen Afridi.

After South Africa, Sri Lanka will visit for another three-match ODI series in Rawalpindi, running from 11 to 15 November. The home season wraps up with a T20I tri-series involving Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe, scheduled between 17 and 29 November across Rawalpindi and Lahore.

PCB will be hoping its bold calls to make changes in both T20I and ODI squads pays off ahead of important fixtures next year.

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