Babar Azam Is Back! Former Captain Included In Pakistan's T20I Squad For South Africa Series

Babar Azam on Thursday (October 23) was included in Pakistan’s T20I squad for the upcoming series against South Africa as well as the tri-series involving Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe in November. The right-handed batter from Lahore, who is Pakistan’s highest run getter in T20Is, was not picked for the Asia Cup 2025, in which Pakistan lost three matches against India and finished as runners-up.

In addition to Babar, pacer Naseem Shah is also back, but there was no place for former captain and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan.

Meanwhile, the Pakistani selectors have included Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf and Sufiyan Moqim as three reserve players.

Pakistan will host South Africa for six white-ball fixtures (three T20Is and three ODIs) from October 28, before

Sri Lanka visit for another trio of 50-over contests from November 11.

Rawalpindi and Lahore will then host a T20I tri-series between Pakistan, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, with Salman Ali Agha to once again lead the side following his appointment to the job earlier this 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 (WK), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan (WK), Usman Tariq.

Reserves: Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Moqim.

Haris back for ODIs

Rauf is one of three players included for an ODI return, alongside Faisal Akram and Haseebullah. The matches against South Africa will be the first for Pakistan under new ODI captain Shaheen Afridi.

Pakistan’s ODI squad: Shaheen Shah Afridi (C), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha.

Schedule:

South Africa tour to Pakistan

• October 28: 1st T20I at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium (Rawalpindi)
• October 31: 2nd T20I at Gaddafi Stadium (Lahore)
• November 1: 3rd T20I at Gaddafi Stadium (Lahore)
• November 4: 1st ODI at Iqbal Stadium (Faisalabad)
• November 6: 2nd ODI at Iqbal Stadium (Faisalabad)
• November 8: 3rd ODI at Iqbal Stadium (Faisalabad)

Sri Lanka tour to Pakistan

• November 11: 1st ODI at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium (Rawalpindi)
• November 13: 2nd ODI at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium (Rawalpindi)
• November 15: 3rd ODI at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium (Rawalpindi)

T20I Tri-Series (Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe)

• November 17: Pakistan vs Zimbabwe, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium (Rawalpindi)
• November 19: Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium (Rawalpindi)
• November 22: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, Gaddafi Stadium (Lahore)
• November 23: Pakistan vs Zimbabwe, Gaddafi Stadium (Lahore)
• November 25: Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe, Gaddafi Stadium (Lahore)
• November 27: Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, Gaddafi Stadium (Lahore)
• November 29: Final, Gaddafi Stadium (Lahore)