Babar Azam Returns to Pakistan’s T20I Squad as Shaheen Afridi Takes Charge in ODIs
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Babar Azam returns to Pakistan’s T20I squad after 10 months, while Shaheen Afridi is named ODI captain for the first time as Pakistan prepares for a busy home season against South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe.
Introduction
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled its white-ball squads for the upcoming home season featuring South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe, marking a significant reshuffle in leadership and selection dynamics.
Former captain Babar Azam makes his much-anticipated return to the T20I setup, while Shaheen Shah Afridi has been handed the reins of the One-Day International (ODI) side for the first time.
Meanwhile, Salman Ali Agha retains his position as T20I captain, continuing his leadership journey that began earlier this year.
The announcement signals a new phase for Pakistan cricket, as the team attempts to strike the right balance between experience and youth, stability and experimentation, ahead of a critical 2026 T20 World Cup cycle.
The Selection at a Glance
The PCB’s announcement covers three major home series:
- Three T20Is and three ODIs against South Africa (October–November)
- Three ODIs against Sri Lanka (November 11–15)
- A T20I Tri-Series featuring Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe (November 17–29)
Pakistan’s T20I Squad (15 Players)
Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan (wk), Usman Tariq
Reserves: Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Moqim
Pakistan’s ODI Squad (16 Players)
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 Jr., Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha
Babar Azam’s Return: Stability Meets Redemption
A Long-Awaited Comeback
For fans and analysts alike, the headline of Pakistan’s latest squad announcement is Babar Azam’s return to the T20I setup. The star batter last featured in the format during the December 2024 tour of South Africa, where he endured a lean run before being rested — and later sidelined — for subsequent white-ball series against Bangladesh, West Indies, and the 2025 Asia Cup.
His exclusion had sparked widespread debate about form versus reputation, as selectors aimed to rebuild Pakistan’s T20I identity under new captain Salman Agha.
The Form Factor
Over the past six months, Babar has been in excellent domestic and PSL form, scoring consistently for Karachi Kings and showing glimpses of his old fluency. His inclusion suggests that the PCB wants to blend experience with youth as Pakistan builds toward major ICC events.
“Babar remains an integral part of Pakistan’s white-ball setup,” a PCB source said. “His experience in pressure situations and consistency across formats are invaluable for the younger players.”
A New Role Under a New Captain
Perhaps the most intriguing subplot is how Babar will adapt to a supporting role under Salman Ali Agha’s leadership. This dynamic marks a shift for the former captain, who had previously led Pakistan across formats before stepping down amid selection controversies.
For now, Babar’s challenge will be to anchor the middle order, allowing Pakistan’s explosive top and lower-middle-order players like Saim Ayub, Abdul Samad, and Usman Khan to play with freedom.
Shaheen Afridi: A New Era in ODI Leadership
The Fast Bowler as Captain
With Shaheen Shah Afridi appointed as Pakistan’s ODI captain, the team enters a bold new phase of leadership. Known for his fiery pace and competitive spirit, Shaheen becomes one of the youngest pacers in Pakistan’s history to lead the side in the 50-over format.
His leadership style is aggressive, tactical, and deeply rooted in leading by example. As captain, Shaheen’s challenge will be to balance his workload — particularly after recurring knee injuries — while maintaining Pakistan’s dominance in home conditions.
“It’s a proud moment for me to lead Pakistan in ODIs,” Shaheen said after the announcement. “My goal is to inspire the team with energy and intent. We’ll focus on discipline and teamwork.”
Why Shaheen’s Appointment Makes Sense
Cricket analysts believe this move reflects Pakistan’s intent to invest in long-term leadership rather than rotating captains for short-term gains.
Shaheen’s strong cricketing brain and composure under pressure — displayed during his PSL captaincy — earned him respect from both seniors and juniors. His partnership with vice-captain Mohammad Rizwan will form the backbone of Pakistan’s ODI decision-making.
Salman Agha’s Rise: From Outsider to Leader
When Salman Ali Agha was first named T20I captain earlier in 2025, it raised eyebrows. Known more for his domestic consistency than flamboyance, Salman has since silenced critics by leading Pakistan to competitive performances in the Bangladesh and West Indies series.
The Trust of the Selectors
Retaining him as captain suggests that the selectors are confident in his strategic maturity and man-management skills. His calm demeanor and ability to rotate bowlers effectively have impressed the team management.
Building a Balanced Team
Under Salman, Pakistan’s T20I unit has focused on balance rather than star power — mixing explosive young talents with experienced heads. With Babar Azam’s return, Salman gains a senior ally who can guide the batting group in pressure scenarios.
This approach — prioritizing depth and flexibility — reflects the PCB’s broader goal: developing a multi-dimensional T20 squad capable of adapting to diverse conditions.
Emerging Players and Selection Insights
The latest squads showcase a blend of youth and experience, signaling Pakistan’s commitment to preparing for future global tournaments.
T20I Highlights
- Usman Tariq’s Maiden Call-Up: The uncapped all-rounder’s selection rewards his PSL consistency, particularly his power-hitting in the death overs.
- Naseem Shah’s Return: Fully fit after injury, Naseem strengthens Pakistan’s bowling attack, joining Shaheen and Wasim Jr. to form a lethal pace trio.
- Abdul Samad’s Recall: Known for his aggressive middle-order batting, Samad brings flexibility and finishing power.
ODI Highlights
- Faisal Akram and Haseebullah’s Recall: Both youngsters impressed in the Pakistan Cup and domestic one-day tournaments, reflecting PCB’s focus on rewarding domestic performers.
- Haris Rauf’s Inclusion: Despite workload concerns, Haris’s pace remains key for Pakistan’s middle overs.
- Hussain Talat’s Comeback: His versatility as a batting all-rounder adds balance to the squad.
“We are building depth in every position,” said chief selector Wahab Riaz. “Each selection decision was made keeping the 2027 World Cup roadmap in mind.”
Strategic Takeaways: What the Selection Says About Pakistan’s White-Ball Vision
1. Rotating Leadership Across Formats
The PCB’s decision to have different captains for T20Is and ODIs — Salman Agha and Shaheen Afridi — indicates a deliberate strategy to distribute responsibility and avoid burnout.
Pakistan’s previous reliance on a single leader across all formats led to fatigue and over-dependence. This shift mirrors successful models used by England and India, where split captaincy has improved consistency.
2. Emphasis on Youth Development
The inclusion of players like Hasan Nawaz, Saim Ayub, and Faisal Akram demonstrates Pakistan’s focus on developing next-generation talent. By exposing these youngsters to international cricket early, the PCB hopes to build a bench strong enough to sustain performance cycles.
3. Batting Depth Over Reliance
Pakistan’s middle order — historically a weak link — now boasts multiple options: Salman Agha, Samad, Faheem Ashraf, and Nawaz. This allows flexibility in chasing or setting targets and reduces the burden on top-order stalwarts like Babar and Rizwan.
4. All-Rounders as Match-Winners
Selectors appear to have prioritized multi-skill players capable of contributing in both departments. Players like Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, and Hussain Talat fit this modern template of utility-based team building.
The Road Ahead: South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe Series
Pakistan’s packed home schedule over the next six weeks will provide a real-time test for this new-look setup.
South Africa Series: The Litmus Test
- T20Is: Oct 28 (Rawalpindi), Oct 31 & Nov 1 (Lahore)
- ODIs: Nov 4, 6, 8 (Faisalabad)
The Proteas will bring a full-strength squad, testing Pakistan’s batting against world-class pacers and spinners. The Rawalpindi and Lahore pitches, known for pace and bounce, will challenge the hosts’ adaptability.
Sri Lanka ODIs: Testing Consistency
From November 11 to 15, Pakistan faces Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi. This series offers Shaheen Afridi his first major leadership trial in the 50-over format — particularly in managing bowlers under dew conditions.
T20I Tri-Series: Experimenting for the Future
The T20I tri-series featuring Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Zimbabwe (Nov 17–29) will allow experimentation ahead of the T20 World Cup qualifiers. Expect Pakistan to test its bench, particularly backup bowlers and finishers.
Key Storylines to Watch
Babar’s Reintegration
How will Babar fit into a team he once led? His ability to perform under a new structure will determine his long-term role in Pakistan’s white-ball future.
Shaheen’s Leadership Debut
Can Shaheen balance captaincy with fast-bowling intensity? His handling of workload management will be crucial as Pakistan prepares for longer ODI series.
Salman Agha’s Tactical Evolution
Every T20I series under Salman offers clues about his captaincy growth. His field placements, batting order flexibility, and handling of spinners will define his credibility as a long-term T20I leader.
Expert Opinions
Cricket experts have largely praised the PCB’s balanced approach, seeing it as a sign of modern, progressive thinking.
“Pakistan’s new structure distributes power smartly,” said former captain Misbah-ul-Haq. “It allows each leader to specialize in his format without the mental fatigue of all-format captaincy.”
Analyst Zainab Abbas added:
“Babar’s return is essential for batting stability, but it’s equally important that he adjusts to this shared-responsibility era. The younger players must also step up — this season is their opportunity.”
Conclusion
The latest squad announcement signals a turning point for Pakistan cricket — one that embraces evolution over sentiment.
By blending veterans like Babar Azam with rising stars like Usman Tariq and Saim Ayub, and by empowering young captains such as Shaheen Afridi and Salman Agha, the PCB appears to be crafting a structure built for sustainability and performance.
As the white-ball home season unfolds, Pakistan’s fans will be eager to see whether these bold choices translate into results — not just wins, but a clearer, stronger identity for Pakistan cricket moving forward.
