Babar, Shaheen return as Pakistan name strong squad for Australia T20Is

Pakistan have recalled senior players Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi to the national T20I setup for the upcoming three-match home series against Australia, with selectors announcing a 16-member squad on Friday. The series will be played at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, and all matches will start at 4:00pm PKT.

Babar and Shaheen were rested during Pakistan’s recent T20I series against Sri Lanka, where Shadab Khan made his return. The duo’s comeback adds experience and leadership to a side that will be captained by Salman Ali Agha.

Pakistan have named a balanced squad, featuring a strong spin contingent including Shadab Khan, Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz and Usman Tariq, while the pace attack will be led by Shaheen Afridi alongside Naseem Shah, Mohammad Wasim Jnr and Faheem Ashraf. The batting unit combines experience and youth, with Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub joined by emerging options in the top and middle order.

The Pakistan squad and player support personnel are expected to assemble in Lahore on January 24, with preparations for the series beginning the following day. Australia will arrive in Pakistan on January 28, marking only their second T20I series on Pakistani soil, following a solitary T20I at the same venue in April 2022.

A day earlier, Babar Azam confirmed he would miss the remainder of the Big Bash League after being recalled to Pakistan for the national team camp. Australia, meanwhile, have named a 17-player squad but rested several senior players, including Pat Cummins, Glenn Maxwell, Josh Hazlewood, Tim David and Nathan Ellis.

Pakistan Squad (16 players):

Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk) and Usman Tariq

Player Support Personnel / Match Officials (Pakistan Team Management):

Naveed Akram Cheema (team manager), Mike Hesson (head coach), Ashley Noffke (bowling coach), Shane McDermott (fielding coach), Hanif Malik (batting coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Grant Luden (strength and conditioning coach), Talha Ejaz (performance analyst), Syed Naeem Ahmed (media manager), Lt. Col. (r) Usman Anwari (security manager), Dr Wajid Ali Rafai (team doctor), Dr Raheel Karim (psychiatrist) and Muhammad Ehsan (masseur)

Series Schedule (All matches at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore):

• 1st T20I: Thursday, January 29 — 4:00pm PKT

• 2nd T20I: Saturday, January 31 — 4:00pm PKT

• 3rd T20I: Sunday, February 1 — 4:00pm PKT

With senior stars returning, home conditions in Lahore, and a settled squad, Pakistan will be aiming to put in a strong performance against Australia and build momentum in the T20 format. 🏏🇵🇰