Former captain Babar Azam and pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah rejoined the Pakistan team for the upcoming white-ball series in Australia, following their absence from two Tests against England.
The Pakistani selectors have unveiled the squads for the tours of Australia and Zimbabwe, introducing several new players while excluding senior players like Fakhar Zaman and Shadab Khan.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is investigating Fakhar for a tweet supporting Babar before his exclusion from the England Tests. The PCB chairman, Mohsin Naqvi, is set to announce the new captains for the limited-overs formats later today at a press conference.
Mohammad Rizwan and Salman Ali Agha are expected to be named the new white-ball skippers. The selectors are taking bold steps by using the ODIs and T20s in Zimbabwe to introduce new talent, whereas the Australia series will feature all the main players.
Babar, Shaheen, and Naseem, who rested after the first Test against England, will only play in Australia, not Zimbabwe. The tour of Australia is scheduled from November 4-18, and the matches in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, will run from November 24 to December 5.
Read: Shaheen Shah Afridi Demoted Category B as PCB Unveils 2024-25 Central Contracts
Pakistan’s busy schedule continues with a tour to South Africa for three ODIs, three T20Is, and two Tests in December and January. The selection panel, comprising Aaqib Javed, Azhar Ali, Aleem Dar, Asad Shafiq, and Hasan Cheema, also noted that while Rizwan will participate in the Australia tour and Zimbabwe ODIs, he will rest during the Zimbabwe T20Is.
The ODI and T20I squads for both Australia and Zimbabwe reflect a mix of experience and fresh faces, ensuring that all formats and tours are well-staffed with capable players.
