Babar Azam Returns to Pakistan T20I Squad After Nearly A Year For South Africa Series

Babar Azam made his return to Pakistan’s T20I squad after almost a year, as selectors announced teams for the upcoming white-ball series against South Africa.

Babar Azam has made a comeback to the Pakistan T20I squad for the first time in almost a year. He was named in a 15-member squad for the upcoming series against South Africa, as well as the tri-series involving Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe that follows.

Mohammad Rizwan, who was earlier removed from ODI captaincy, keeps his place in the 50-over squad. Meanwhile, wicketkeeper-batter Usman Khan and off-spinner Usman Tariq have been included in the T20I setup.

Babar has not played any T20 cricket since the end of the Pakistan Super League (PSL). Following the tournament, he was left out of Pakistan’s T20I squads. At the time, Pakistan’s white-ball coach Mike Hesson had said he would need to “improve a few things” to earn his way back into the side, with the Big Bash League in December believed to be the tournament Pakistan would use to assess his improvement.

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It is not yet clear what led to Babar’s early recall, but his inclusion now makes him an all-format player once again for Pakistan.

Naseem Shah In ODI Squad As Well

Fast bowler Naseem Shah retains his place in the ODI squad and also returns to the T20I side. Naseem recently performed impressively in the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) for St Kitts and Nevis Patriots. Usman Tariq, who was part of the title-winning Trinbago Knight Riders side, has also been rewarded for his strong showing as the second-highest wicket-taker in the tournament.

Hasan Ali, who featured in the T20 Asia Cup squad, misses out from both white-ball squads, while Hussain Talat has been dropped from the T20I side.

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Shaheen Afridi will captain Pakistan’s ODI team for the first time in the three-match series against South Africa in November. Before that, Pakistan will play three T20Is against the same opponents. The tri-series featuring Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe is scheduled from November 17 to 29.

Pakistan ODI squad:
Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha

Pakistan 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 (wk), Usman Tariq