Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi Return As PCB Announces Squad For T20I Series Against Australia

KEY POINTS

Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi return to bolster Pakistan’s squad for the three-match series in Lahore.
The series is crucial preparation for both teams ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Australia’s visit marks only their second T20I series in Pakistan, adding historic significance.

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday unveiled a 16-member squad for a three-match T20I series against Australia, set to be played at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. The series is scheduled for 29, 31 January, and 1 February, with all matches beginning at 4:00 PM.

Star returns and spin-heavy attack

The squad sees the high-profile return of former captain Babar Azam and pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi. Both stalwarts missed Pakistan’s recent 1-1 drawn series in Sri Lanka earlier this month, bolstering the side’s experience and firepower.

Vice-captain Shadab Khan will lead a formidable spin department featuring Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, and the uncapped Usman Tariq, indicating a strategy tailored to expected Lahore conditions.

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World Cup preparations in full swing

This series is a critical part of both teams’ build-up for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, to be hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8. Pakistan finds itself in Group A alongside India, the USA, the Netherlands, and Namibia. Australia will contend in Group B with Sri Lanka, Ireland, Zimbabwe, and Oman.

“The entire squad and support staff will assemble in Lahore tomorrow [Saturday], with training commencing the next day,” a PCB spokesperson confirmed.

Australia’s rare visit

The Australian team is scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on 28 January. Their only previous T20I in the country was a solitary match at the same venue in April 2022, making this a rare and historic full series.

The overall T20I head-to-head record is tightly contested, with Australia holding a slight edge: 14 wins to Pakistan’s 12, with one tie and one no-result.

Pakistan squad for Australia T20Is

Salman Ali Agha (Captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (Wicketkeeper), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (Wicketkeeper), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan (Vice-Captain), Usman Khan (Wicketkeeper), Usman Tariq.

Player support personnel

Naveed Akram Cheema (Team Manager), Mike Hesson (Head Coach), Ashley Noffke (Bowling Coach), Shane McDermott (Fielding Coach), Hanif Malik (Batting Coach), Cliffe Deacon (Physiotherapist), Grant Luden (Strength & Conditioning Coach), Talha Ejaz (Performance Analyst), Syed Naeem Ahmed (Media Manager), Lt. Col. (r) Usman Anwari (Security Manager), Dr Wajid Ali Rafai (Team Doctor), Dr Raheel Karim (Psychiatrist), Muhammad Ehsan (Masseur).