Babar Azam, Naseem Shah recalled as Pakistan announce T20 squad for home series against South Africa

New Delhi: Former skipper Babar Azam and pace bowler Naseem Shah have been recalled to the Pakistan's T20 squad for the upcoming home series against South Africa and a tri-series involving Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe.

Babar was sidelined from the shortest format from December last year due to his bad form but has finally managed to get his place back in the T20s. Along with him, young hard-hitter Abdul Samad has also found a place in the squad. The T20I series between Pakistan and South Africa will be played in Rawalpindi and Lahore from October 28 to November 1.

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Meanwhile, the tri-series will also be stage at the same venue from November 17 to 29. Zimbabwe entered as the third team in the tri-series last week after Afghanistan pulled out after Pakistani airstrikes killed as many as three Afghan cricketers tragically.

Meanwhile, Pakistan and South Africa, who ae currently playing the second Test at the Rawalpindi stadium, will also engage in a three-match ODI series to be held at the Iqbal Stadium in Faisalabad from November 4 to 8. It will be followed by another three-match ODI series against Sri Lanka at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from November 11 to 15.

Apart from being a part in the T20Is, both Naseem and Babar have also featured in the Pakistan ODI squad. It is being learnt that Babar's return to the shortest format is a result of the national selectors' decision to rejig the side which went down thrice to traditional rivals India in the recent Asia Cup including in the final.

Meanwhile, the selectors have ignored seasoned opener Fakhar Zaman and wrist spinner Sufyan Muqeem.

T20I squad

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

Reserves

Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Moqim ODI squad:Shahen Shah Afridi (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha.