Pakistan announce white-ball squads for South Africa series, Babar Azam returns in T20Is

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The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced its T20I and ODI squads for the upcoming matches against South Africa, marking a significant reshuffle in the national setup.

The biggest news is the return of Babar Azam, Pakistan’s premier batter and former captain, to the T20I team after nearly a year.

Babar last featured in the format in December 2024, and his absence during Pakistan’s underwhelming Asia Cup 2025 campaign was widely discussed. With the T20 World Cup fast approaching, the selectors have opted for stability and experience, recalling the prolific 29-year-old to strengthen the batting order.

Babar will feature in the upcoming T20I series against South Africa and a tri-nation tournament also involving Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe. His inclusion signals a renewed focus on rebuilding Pakistan’s batting core ahead of the global event.

Pakistan’s batting frailties at the Asia Cup 2025 played a major role in the latest selection decisions. The team struggled with low strike rates and inconsistency, often failing to capitalize in the middle-overs.

Fakhar Zaman, who mainly bats in the top-order, has been dropped to the reserves list, making way for freshers. Meanwhile, Abdul Samad and Naseem Shah return after missing recent tours, and 24-year-old spinner Usman Tariq has earned his maiden national call-up.

With Salman Ali Agha retained as captain of the T20I side and Shaheen Shah Afridi appointed as skipper for the ODIs, Pakistan’s management appears to be balancing youth and experience as they prepare for a busy home schedule.

Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris has also been from the team following a run of poor scores, with Usman Khan coming in as his replacement.

Also READ: Mohammad Amir blasts PCB over Mohammad Rizwan’s removal as Shaheen Afridi named new ODI captain of Pakistan

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.

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.

Also READ: List of captains for Pakistan in ODI cricket ft. Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Rizwan