Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi Return for High-Stakes Australia T20I Series

LAHORE — The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday announced a powerful 16-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20 International series against Australia. The headline news is the return of senior stalwarts Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi, who were rested during the recent series against Sri Lanka. This home series, set entirely at Gaddafi Stadium, serves as the final bilateral preparation before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 begins in February.

Pakistan vs Australia T20I Series

• Captain: Salman Ali Agha
• Key Returns: Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan.
• Notable Omission: Pacer Haris Rauf has been left out of the 16-man roster.
• Match Venue: Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore (All matches).
• New Timings: 4:00 PM PKT (Toss at 3:30 PM).

Strategic Recalls: Babar and Shaheen Back in Action

Babar Azam returns to the national fold after cutting short his stint in Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL) to join the national camp. Similarly, Shaheen Shah Afridi makes his comeback following a minor knee injury sustained during his BBL campaign, having now been cleared by the PCB medical team.

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The squad also sees the continuation of Shadab Khan’s comeback, as he leads a formidable spin attack alongside Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, and the emerging Usman Tariq.

Haris Rauf Snubbed; Salman Ali Agha Retains Captaincy

In a move that has surprised some fans, speedster Haris Rauf was not included in the squad despite a productive BBL season. National selectors appear to be testing a varied pace attack featuring Naseem Shah, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, and Mohammad Salman Mirza. Salman Ali Agha will continue to lead the side, a clear signal that the team management is looking for stable leadership heading into the World Cup.

Australia’s Arrival and Revised Schedule

The Australian squad, led by Mitchell Marsh, is expected to arrive in Lahore on January 28. While they have rested top stars like Pat Cummins and Glenn Maxwell, the visitors bring a “star-studded” 17-player squad featuring Travis Head and Adam Zampa.

To accommodate local fans and manage weather conditions, the PCB has confirmed a 4:00 PM PKT start time for all matches:

The Pakistan squad will convene in Lahore on January 24 to begin a four-day intensive training camp.

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