&imwidth=800&imheight=600&format=webp&quality=medium "Babar Azam, Naseem Shah return to Pakistan's T20I squad for South Africa and tri-series involving Zimbabwe, Sri Lanka")
Pakistan will see a major return to their T20I set-up with just months remaining for the T20 World Cup in India, as former captain Babar Azam and speedster Naseem Shah have been named in the squad for the upcoming series against South Africa. Babar, who was dropped for the Asia Cup in the UAE, will return to the T20I squad, having last played for the national team in December 2024. The squad announced on Thursday (Oct 23) will be led by Salman Ali Agha, with Shaheen Shah Afridi leading the ODI squad.
Pakistan announce squad for T20I series
Having been out of favour in the entire 2025 from the T20I squad, Babar’s inclusion in the squad came as a surprise for many. Former Pakistan captain has more than 4000 runs in the T20I format with a best of 4223 and has led his side to a World Cup final and a semifinal in the past. However, since playing against South Africa in an away T20I series, he was not in favour.
On the other hand, the Pakistan squad will also see the return of Naseem Shah, who has not played any T20I cricket since last year’s Australia tour. He was plagued with injuries and has struggled with form in recent months. His availability could be a huge boost for Pakistan as they build the squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, which starts in February.
Shaheen Afridi, on the other hand, will be leading the ODI squad after Mohammad Rizwan was sacked from the role on Tuesday.
Trending Stories
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
‘Italy will not...’: Meloni threatens Spain’s Schengen access after thousands enter Ceuta from Morocco
)
The Royals enter the Doctor Who universe: King Charles and Queen Camilla beam into Commonwealth Games in TARDIS
)
Delhi Consumer Court fines Indian Railways Rs 25,000 for making RAC passengers share one blanket
)
Lift accident? Maintenance, builders & makers are ALL liable now, rules Supreme Court: 3 major regulations | WION Decodes
)
60,000 migrants from Morocco flood Spain's Ceuta, EU calls influx unacceptable, Trump warns US
)
Spider-Man producer Amy Pascal reveals why she warned Tom Holland and Zendaya against dating
)
Russia-Ukraine War: Zelensky fears 500,000 new Russian troops
)
'I was almost trafficked in Paris,' says Australian woman, shares terrifying ordeal - 'I am on the black market'
)
Trump to charge foreign students $100,000 for a shot at a US job? Here's why Indian students should be worried
)
More than 100 Israeli soldiers walk out of base, chant slogans in an 'act of rebellion' | Watch
)
Monsoon set to strengthen in August as India's rainfall deficit narrows to 14%: IMD
)
India avoids higher US tariff, secures lower 10% rate. Here's how
)
Russia-Ukraine war: Putin mobilises more troops for Ukraine's war decisive invasion
)
'We have special forces': Netanyahu warns against any ICC arrest attempt abroad
)
Alert for torrential rains across Jammu division; flash flood risk over next five days
)
CJP founder Abhijeet Dipke returns to Maharashtra, receives grand welcome in hometown
)
ICC announces 12 host venues for 2027 ODI World Cup
)
3.6mn people track 24hr Qantas flight from Melbourne to Toulouse: Pilot shifts, fuel tank and other details
)
British Airways flight comes close to 'nosediving' over London
)
NEET Protests riddled with misinformation? Delhi Police blocks 480 Pakistan-based handles spreading 'fake news' since Operation Sindoor
)
Hosts India sweep Malaysia for double gold in men’s and women’s Commonwealth Table Tennis finals
)
Pakistan avalanche: Four bodies found as search for Nirmal Purja and 9 other climbers enters critical phase
)
49,000 illegal migrants enter Spain from Morocco; 34 dead – What is happening in Ceuta?
)
Trump says Iranian school bombing photos could be AI-generated - 'I don’t think...'
)
Kiara Advani reveals why she chose Toxic, says character offered her 'all the meat an actor longs for'
)
Shehzad Poonawalla, BJP's national spokesperson quits politics? Here's what sparked social media buzz
)
23ft python swallows man returning from party in Indonesia; family find body whole inside reptile
)
"Am I Worthy?" Ranbir Kapoor addresses backlash over playing Lord Ram in Ramayana: Part 1
)
Commonwealth Games 2026 Day 9: India's full schedule, medal events and match timings
)
Karan Johar's The Traitors season 2 contestants: Rhea Chakraborty, Mallika Sherawat and Munawar Faruqui in the first batch
)
Have 7,000 Karnataka students tested positive for HIV? Here's the truth
)
Indian forces used pellet guns on Jul 20? SC hearing, police diary entry, MLC report and injured protesters' claims
)
'Living Nostradamus' warns of a new war, claims two of his 2026 predictions have come true
)
Student denied admission to IIT Kanpur's cybersecurity program hacks websites to prove a point
&im=FitAndFill=(700,400))
New Friday OTT releases (July 31, 2026): The Vacation Principle, Rao Bahadur, Chum- Watch 6 new movies and TV shows on Netflix, Prime Video and more
)
This Ramayana actor took ZERO fee from Rs 4000 crore film. Guess who?
)
Nearly Rs 29 crore cash, 15 kg gold found at ex-bus driver's house in West Bengal
ALSO READ | From Mithali Raj to Janette Brittin, 5 players with most runs in Women's ODI World Cup history
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.
Pakistan 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.
