The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the squads for the upcoming tours of Australia and Zimbabwe, featuring the return of key players alongside emerging domestic talent. PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi will reveal the captains for Pakistan’s white-ball teams during a media conference in Lahore on Sunday at 3:30 PM.
The white-ball squads will participate in three ODIs and three T20Is during their tours, commencing with matches against Australia from November 4 to 18, followed by fixtures in Zimbabwe from November 24 to December 5. These tours are crucial preparation for the upcoming ICC Champions Trophy, with selectors aiming to balance experience and fresh talent in their approach.
Key Returns for Australia, Rotations for Zimbabwe
Star players Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, who were rested during the last leg of Pakistan’s Test series against England, are set to feature in the Australia tour but will be rested for the Zimbabwe series. Wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan will participate in both the ODIs in Australia and Zimbabwe but will miss the T20Is in Zimbabwe.
The selection committee’s rotation strategy emphasizes dual objectives: ensuring the team’s readiness for the Champions Trophy while providing promising domestic players with valuable international exposure.
Several players without previous ODI caps, including Aamir Jamal, Arafat Minhas, Faisal Akram, Haseebullah, Muhammad Irfan Khan, and Saim Ayub, have been included in the ODI squad. Additionally, Jahandad Khan and Salman Ali Agha are set to make their T20I debuts.
Rejoining the national side are Kamran Ghulam, Omair Bin Yousuf, and Sufyan Moqim, who have previously represented Pakistan in limited-overs matches. Notably, Kamran served as a concussion substitute for Haris Sohail against New Zealand in early 2023, while Omair and Sufyan debuted during the Asian Games men’s cricket competition.
Fast bowler Mohammad Hasnain, who led the charts with 17 wickets in the Champions One-Day Cup in Faisalabad, also rejoins the ODI squad after last appearing in an ODI against New Zealand in January 2023.
Alongside established players like Babar, Naseem, Rizwan, Salman, and Shaheen, additional selections for both formats include Arafat Minhas, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, and Muhammad Irfan Khan. The ODI squad will also feature Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Faisal Akram, Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, and Saim Ayub, while Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Omair Bin Yousuf, Sahibzada Farhan, Sufyan Moqim, and Usman Khan will join the T20I squad.
Squad Departures and Schedule
Players selected for the Australia tour will depart on October 28, with the remaining ODI squad joining them the following day. Pakistan’s white-ball coach, Gary Kirsten, will meet the team in Melbourne.
Australia Tour Schedule:
- 4 November: ODI, MCG, Melbourne
- 8 November: ODI, Adelaide Oval, Adelaide
- 10 November: ODI, Perth Stadium, Perth
- 14 November: T20I, The Gabba, Brisbane
- 16 November: T20I, SCG, Sydney
- 18 November: T20I, Bellerive Oval, Hobart
Zimbabwe Tour Schedule:
- 24 November: ODI, Bulawayo
- 26 November: ODI, Bulawayo
- 28 November: ODI, Bulawayo
- 1 December: T20I, Bulawayo
- 3 December: T20I, Bulawayo
- 5 December: T20I, Bulawayo
