Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi return as Pakistan announce squad for T20I series against Australia

New Delhi: Pakistan have announced a 16-member squad for the three-match T20I series against Australia, starting from January 16. Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi returned to the side ahead of the 2026 T20 World Cup, which is scheduled to begin in India and Sri Lanka from February 7.

Mohammad Rizwan and Haris Rauf were not included in the 16-member team and were also not picked for Pakistan's last assignment against Sri Lanka. All four players, however, featured in the Big Bash League. Rauf had a successful season in the BBL, but Babar, Rizwan and Shaheen struggled in their maiden stint in the tournament.

Shaheen left the tournament due to an injury, while Rizwan has scored 187 runs in 10 matches at an average of 18.70. Babar also left the tournament ahead of the BBL finals after being recalled to Pakistan's team camp ahead of the Australia series. He amassed 202 runs in 11 matches at an average of 22.44 and striking at just 103.06 despite hitting two fifties.

Pakistan are yet to announce their squad for the T20 World Cup 2026. Babar and Shaheen are now back in the T20I setup, but the chances of Rizwan and Rauf returning to the 15-member squad are bleak, with the pair not included in the three T20Is against Australia.

Shadab Khan, who had recently made a comeback to Pakistan's T20I team, retains his place. Khawaja Nafay impressed the selectors on debut earlier this month, and keeps his place in the squad and is likely to become their first-choice wicketkeeper.

The three T20I matches are scheduled to be played on January 29, 31 and February 1. All three matches will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

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Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk) and Usman Tariq.