The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced balanced squads for an action-packed home cricket season, featuring T20I and ODI series against South Africa and Sri Lanka, along with a T20 tri-series involving Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.
Selectors have opted for a blend of experience and youth, recalling Babar Azam and Naseem Shah while rewarding several young performers from the domestic circuit. Abdul Samad also returns to the fold, while Usman Tariq has received his first-ever national call-up as the only uncapped player in the T20I squad.
The T20I series against South Africa will begin on October 28 in Rawalpindi, before moving to Lahore for the remaining fixtures till November 1. The ODI series will follow in Faisalabad and Rawalpindi through mid-November, completing Pakistan’s pre-winter home schedule.
In the ODI squad, Shaheen Shah Afridi will lead the side, supported by experienced names like Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Fakhar Zaman, alongside promising talents such as Hasan Nawaz, Faisal Akram, and Haseebullah.
T20I Squad (15-member):
Salman Ali Agha (captain), 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 (wicket-keeper), Usman Tariq.
Reserves: Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Moqim.
ODI Squad (16-member):
Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha.
Selectors Eye Continuity and Depth
A PCB official said the selections were made with a view to building squad depth ahead of major ICC events. “We’ve tried to create a balance between experience and emerging players, while maintaining continuity in the core group,” he said.
The announcement signals Pakistan’s focus on reviving dominance at home and fine-tuning combinations for the upcoming international calendar.
Both series are expected to provide critical match practice for players, especially new inclusions, before Pakistan’s next overseas assignments in early 2026.
