The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) unveiled its 15-member squads for upcoming tours to Australia and Zimbabwe on Sunday. Pakistan’s national cricket team will play three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and three Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) in both countries, beginning in early November.
The Australia leg, scheduled from Nov. 4-18, marks the return of star players Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, who had been rested for the last two Tests against England.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe tour will commence in Bulawayo on Nov. 24 and continue through Dec. 5, with these senior players taking a break. Mohammad Rizwan, another key player, will participate in the Australia tour and Zimbabwe ODIs but will sit out of the Zimbabwe T20Is.
This squad rotation reflects the selectors’ policy to balance player workload while offering domestic talent international exposure. The approach aligns with Pakistan’s strategic preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy and other major tournaments.
New and Returning Faces
The ODI squad features several uncapped players, including Aamir Jamal, Arafat Minhas, Faisal Akram, Haseebullah, Muhammad Irfan Khan, and Saim Ayub. In the T20I squad, Jahandad Khan and Salman Ali Agha are also set to make their debuts.
Three players—Kamran Ghulam, Omair Bin Yousuf, and Sufyan Moqim—who have previously represented Pakistan in limited-overs matches, have earned recalls. Kamran Ghulam served as a concussion substitute during an ODI against New Zealand in early 2023, while Omair and Sufyan made their debuts in T20I during the Asian Games cricket competition against Hong Kong.
Notably, fast bowler Mohammad Hasnain, who starred in the recent Champions One-Day Cup in Faisalabad with 17 wickets, returns to the ODI lineup after last representing Pakistan in an ODI against New Zealand in January.
Key Players Across Formats
Alongside Babar, Naseem, and Rizwan, four players have been chosen for both ODI and T20I squads. They include Arafat Minhas, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, and Muhammad Irfan Khan.
For the ODIs alone, Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Faisal Akram, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, and Saim Ayub have been named, with T20I replacements being Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Omair Bin Yousuf, Sahibzada Farhan, Sufyan Moqim, and Usman Khan.
The squad is set to depart for Melbourne on Oct. 28, with white-ball coach Gary Kirsten joining them in Australia. Seven players will leave on Monday, with the rest following a day later.
Pakistan Squads for Australia and Zimbabwe Tours
Australia Tour
ODI Squad: Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (WK), Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi
T20I Squad: Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Omair Bin Yousuf, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, Usman Khan
Zimbabwe Tour
ODI Squad: Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (WK), Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shahnawaz Dahani, Tayyab Tahir
T20I Squad: Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (WK), Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Qasim Akram, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir, Usman Khan
The PCB’s rotation and selection policy reflects Pakistan’s commitment to preparing a robust squad for future international challenges. With a blend of experience and young talent, the team aims to capitalize on these tours as part of its broader strategy for sustained success on the international stage.
