Babar, Shaheen and Rizwan unlikely to make immediate return

Babar, Shaheen and Rizwan unlikely to make immediate return

File photo

July, 16 2025

(Web Desk): There is little chance that Pakistani fans will be able to see star cricketers Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah in action anytime soon.

All three were expected to get a chance in the ODI series against the West Indies, but now it seems that Pakistan is not interested in playing three ODIs.

If the West Indies do not agree to play five T20 International matches instead of three, the Pakistani team will return home after playing three T20 matches in the United States and three ODI matches will be played later, and sources say that the players have also been told the same before leaving for Dhaka.

According to highly responsible sources, the PCB has written to the West Indies Board that it wants to play five T20Is instead of three due to preparations for the Asia Cup and T20 World Cup. Even after several days, the West Indies Board has not responded to the email.

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The Pakistani team will leave Dhaka on July 25 via Dubai to USA. Pakistan and West Indies will play three T20 matches at Lauderhill, Florida on August 1, 3 and 4, while a friendly T20 International will also be played between Pakistan and USA. Last year, USA surprisingly defeated Pakistan in the Super Over in the T20 World Cup.

Three One-Day Internationals between West Indies and Pakistan are scheduled to be played in Trinidad and Tobago on August 8, 10 and 12. The West Indies Board is advertising tickets for the three T20Is and three ODIs on social media, but the Pakistan team does not plan to visit the West Indies. The Pakistani team for the T20 series against the West Indies is yet to be announced.

There will be a few changes in the Pakistan team, but Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah may get a chance only if any of the players are fit.

At the end of the national camp in Karachi, Babar Azam, Muhammad Rizwan, Shaheen Afridi, Muhammad Wasim Jr. and Naseem Shah left for their homes. A day earlier, Salman Agha had told media about the selection policy that we have prepared a pool of 25 players for the T20 World Cup, which includes Babar Azam, Muhammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi.

The Pakistani team includes Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Muhammad Abbas Afridi, Muhammad Haris (wicketkeeper), Muhammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan (wicketkeeper), Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza and Sufyan Muqim. Mike Hesson and the other foreign coaches are going abroad with the Pakistan team for the first time.