Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Shah Afridi are set to return for the matches against Australia after being dropped following the first Test against England
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the squads for the upcoming tours to Australia and Zimbabwe. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi also revealed the white-ball captain during a media conference in Lahore on Sunday at 3:30 PM, naming Mohammad Rizwan as the new white-ball captain.
Key players Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Shah Afridi are set to return for the matches against Australia after being dropped following the first Test against England.
Salman Ali Agha has been named the vice-captain of the side.
However, they will be rested for the tour to Zimbabwe. Likewise, Mohammad Rizwan will be available for the matches against Australia and the ODIs against Zimbabwe but will be rested for the T20Is in Zimbabwe. In Rizwan’s absence, Salman Ali Agha will lead in the Zimbabwe T20Is.
“Representing Pakistan on the global stage is the greatest privilege and to now be entrusted with leading such a talented and exciting group of players is a tremendous honour,” Rizwan said after his appointment.
“Joining the ranks of some of Pakistan’s legendary limited-overs captains truly is the icing on the cake.
“I am committed to giving my absolute best in this role and look forward to working closely with the selectors, coaches and my immensely talented teammates. Together, we aim to meet and exceed the expectations of our fans and supporters.”
As part of their strategy to prepare for the defense of the ICC Champions Trophy, selectors have acknowledged exceptional domestic performers for the upcoming tours to Australia and Zimbabwe.
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Kamran Ghulam, Omair Bin Yousuf and Sufyan Moqim make their national side debut, having previously played limited-overs internationals. Kamran served as a concussion substitute for Haris Sohail against New Zealand in an ODI in January 2023, while Omair and Sufyan debuted in the T20I format against Hong Kong during the Asian Games men’s cricket competition.
Fast bowler Mohammad Hasnain, player of the Champions One-Day Cup in Faisalabad last month with 17 wickets, also returns to the ODI side.
In total, seven ODI members, Babar Azam, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, will travel to Melbourne on October 28, with the rest leaving on October 29. Pakistan’s white-ball coach, Gary Kirsten, will join them in Melbourne on the 28th.
The Australia tour is scheduled from November 4 to 18, where Pakistan will play 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is.
Schedule of Pakistan’s white-ball matches against Australia
4 November: 1st ODI, MCG, Melbourne
8 November: 2nd ODI, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
10 November: 3rd ODI, Perth Stadium, Perth
14 November: 1st T20I, The Gabba, Brisbane
16 November: 2nd T20I, SCG, Sydney
18 November: 3rd T20I, Bellerive Oval, Hobart
ODI SQUAD: Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (WK), Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi
T20I SQUAD: Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Omair Bin Yousuf, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, Usman Khan
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The Pakistan squads for the Zimbabwe ODIs and T20Is feature several domestic performers, including Ahmed Daniyal, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, and Tayyab Tahir, along with Salman Ali Agha, who has been selected for both formats.
In the ODI squad, Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Faisal Akram, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, and Shahnawaz Dahani will be replaced in the T20I squad by Arafat Minhas, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Omair Bin Yousuf, Qasim Akram, Sahibzada Farhan, and Usman Khan
The matches in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, will take place from November 24 to December 5, where Pakistan will play 3 ODIs and 3 T20Is.
Schedule of Pakistan’s white-ball matches against Zimbabwe
24 November: 1st ODI, Bulawayo
26 November: 2nd ODI, Bulawayo
28 November: 3rd ODI, Bulawayo
1 December: 1st T20I, Bulawayo
3 December: 2nd T20I, Bulawayo
5 December: 3rd T20I, Bulawayo
ODI SQUAD: Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (WK), Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shahnawaz Dahani and Tayyab Tahir
T20I SQUAD: Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (WK), Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair bin Yousuf, Qasim Akram, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan
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