Babar Azam returns to Pakistan squad for Australia ODI series
Babar Azam returns to the Pakistan squad for Australia ODIs as selectors announce a strong 16-member team for the upcoming series. Babar Azam had missed the recent Bangladesh tour due to a fitness issue in March, but made a strong comeback after scoring 588 runs in the Pakistan Super League 2026.
Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi will continue to lead the side as captain, while Salman Ali Agha has been named vice-captain. The squad also sees the return of key players Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, and Shadab Khan, who were not part of the Bangladesh series.
Left-arm spinner Sufyan Moqim returns to the ODI setup after finishing as the highest wicket-taker in PSL 2026 with 22 wickets. Fast bowler Ahmed Daniyal, spinning all-rounder Arafat Minhas, and wicketkeeper-batter Rohail Nazir have been selected in the ODI squad for the first time.
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However, experienced openers Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub have been ruled out due to injuries, while senior wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan has been dropped from the squad. The Australian team is scheduled to arrive in Islamabad on May 23, with matches set to be played in Rawalpindi on May 30 and in Lahore on June 2 and June 4.
Officials said the series will be important for both teams as they prepare for the 2027 ODI World Cup, which will be co-hosted by South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Namibia. Pakistan recently returned from Bangladesh after a surprising 2-0 defeat in the Test series.
The ODI squad includes Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Salman Ali Agha, Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Maaz Sadaqat, Ghazi Ghori, Naseem Shah, Rohail Nazir, Sahibzada Farhan, Shadab Khan, Shamyl Hussain, and Sufyan Moqim.
