Pakistan’s premier batter Babar Azam has been recalled to the national ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against Australia men’s national cricket team, strongly indicating his return to the playing XI after missing the previous ODI tour of Bangladesh.
The National Men’s Selection Committee on Friday announced a 16-member squad for the home ODI series against Australia, scheduled to be played from 30 May to 4 June in Rawalpindi and Lahore.
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Left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi will continue to captain the side, while Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan and Sufyan Moqim have all returned to the ODI setup after being absent from the Bangladesh series in March.
Although the PCB has not officially confirmed the final playing XI for the opening ODI, Babar’s inclusion in the squad makes him a likely starter against Australia, given his experience and importance to Pakistan’s batting line-up.
The squad also features three uncapped ODI players – Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas and Rohail Nazir – who could potentially make their debuts during the series.
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Pakistan will be without injured opening batters Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub, both of whom continue rehabilitation under the supervision of the PCB medical panel.
Wicketkeeper-batter Usman Khan was not considered for selection due to illness, while Mohammad Rizwan has been dropped.
Muhammad Ghazi Ghori and Rohail Nazir have been named as the two wicketkeeper-batters in the squad.
The 16-member squad will assemble in Islamabad on Friday night before beginning training sessions from 23 May under the coaching staff led by head coach Mike Hesson.
Meanwhile, the Australian team is also scheduled to arrive in Islamabad on 23 May and will train at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium ahead of the series opener.
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Pakistan ODI squad
Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Naseem Shah, Rohail Nazir, Sahibzada Farhan, Shadab Khan, Shamyl Hussain and Sufyan Moqim.
Series schedule (All matches to begin at 4.30pm local time):
- 30 May – 1st ODI, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
- 2 June – 2nd ODI, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
- 4 June – 3rd ODI, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
