Pakistan has signaled a major ramp-up in its preparations for next year”s T20 World Cup by recalling former captain Babar Azam and star bowler Naseem Shah to the T20I squad for a packed home season of white-ball cricket.
According to a report by ICC today, the Pakistan Cricket Board revealed powerful line-ups for upcoming limited-overs series against South Africa and Sri Lanka, featuring the return of several prominent figures. The national team is scheduled to host South Africa for six encounters, comprising three T20Is and three ODIs, commencing on October 28.
Following the series with South Africa, Sri Lanka is set to visit for another trio of 50-over contests starting November 11. These matches will mark the first assignment for new ODI captain Shaheen Shah Afridi.
The return of Babar and Naseem is particularly noteworthy as both players sat out the recent T20I fixtures against the West Indies and this year”s Asia Cup. Their reinstatement comes just months before the ICC Men”s T20 World Cup begins early next year.
In the One-Day International format, fast bowler Haris Rauf has been included for a return, alongside Faisal Akram and Haseebullah, strengthening the team under Afridi”s new leadership.
The busy schedule also includes a T20I tri-series between Pakistan, Zimbabwe, and Sri Lanka, with matches to be held in Rawalpindi and Lahore. Salman Ali Agha will continue to lead the T20I side, a role he was appointed to earlier in the year.
**Pakistan T20I squad:** Salman Ali Agha (c), 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