Pakistan Announces Squads For South Africa, Sri Lanka Series And Zimbabwe Tri-Series

KEY POINTS

Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, and Abdul Samad return to the T20I squad, while Usman Tariq earns his debut call-up.
The upcoming series will feature matches in Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Faisalabad from October 28 to November 29.

LAHORE, Pakistan: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday unveiled its squads for the upcoming T20I and ODI series against South Africa and Sri Lanka, as well as the T20I tri-series featuring Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.

This announcement comes as the national team prepares for a packed schedule, with matches starting on October 28.

Key Players Return

The T20I squad includes a 15-member team with notable inclusions such as Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, and Abdul Samad, all of whom make their return after missing previous events.

Usman Tariq, a rising star in Pakistan’s cricket scene, has earned his spot in the squad as the only uncapped player.

Usman Tariq’s Impressive Form

Tariq has made significant strides in the shorter format of the game, most recently playing for the Trinbago Knight Riders in the 2025 Caribbean Premier League (CPL).

He took 20 wickets in 10 matches, finishing as the second-highest wicket-taker of the tournament.

Tariq’s consistent performances, including his two seasons with the Quetta Gladiators in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), have earned him recognition and a spot in the national team.

Schedule of Matches

The T20I series against South Africa will take place in Rawalpindi and Lahore from October 28 to November 1.

Following this, Pakistan will engage in a three-match ODI series against South Africa in Faisalabad from November 4 to 8. Pakistan will then face Sri Lanka in another three-match ODI series at Rawalpindi from November 11 to 15.

T20I and ODI Squads

T20I Squad (15 members)

Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan (wk), Usman Tariq.

Reserve players

Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, and Sufiyan Moqim.

ODI Squad (16 members)

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 (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha.