October 23, 2025 Babar Azam has made a return to 
Pakistan’s White Ball Squads.
In a move that’s sent ripples through the cricketing world, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has unveiled its white-ball squads for the upcoming home series against South Africa, signaling a blend of redemption, reintegration, and renewed ambition.
Announced on Thursday amid the echoes of the ongoing Test series at Rawalpindi,
the 15-member T20I squad and 16-member ODI squad feature the long-awaited return of star batter Babar Azam to the shortest format, alongside pace sensation Naseem Shah.
These selections, which also apply to a T20I tri-series with Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, and an ODI series against Sri Lanka, underscore Pakistan’s intent to rebuild momentum ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
The white-ball leg kicks off with three T20Is against South Africa from October 28 to November 1,
split between Rawalpindi and Lahore, followed by three ODIs in Faisalabad from November 4 to 8.
The tri-series and additional ODIs will keep the action rolling into late November, providing ample opportunity for experimentation and fine-tuning.
T20I Squad: Babar Azam Comeback Headlines a Balanced Lineup
Salman Ali Agha takes the reins as T20I captain, a nod to his all-round prowess and steady leadership in recent domestic and limited-overs outings.
The squad’s composition reflects a strategic pivot: blending proven performers with emerging talents to inject dynamism into Pakistan’s T20 fortunes,
Which have been inconsistent since their last major title win in 2017.
Key inclusions:
- Babar Azam: The elephant—or rather, the elegant cover-drive—in the room. Absent from T20Is since December 2024 due to form dips and workload management, Babar’s recall after a stellar domestic stint is a masterstroke. His technical mastery at the top order could stabilize an innings prone to collapses.
- Naseem Shah: The young tearaway pacer’s return from injury bolsters the attack. His slingy action and raw speed were missed during Pakistan’s underwhelming Asia Cup 2025 campaign.
- Abdul Samad: Back after a hiatus, the hard-hitting middle-order batter adds firepower, addressing Pakistan’s perennial issue of finishing chases.
- Usman Tariq: The sole uncapped player, this mystery spinner from the domestic circuit earns a debut call-up, hinting at the selectors’ eye for innovation in spin options.
The full T20I squad reads: Salman Ali Agha (c), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan (wk), Usman Tariq.
Reserves: Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Moqim.This unit boasts depth in all-rounders like Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Nawaz, while wicketkeeping duties fall to Sahibzada Farhan and Usman Khan
—replacing the out-of-favor Mohammad Rizwan in the shortest format. Rizwan’s omission raises eyebrows,
given his IPL exploits and white-ball consistency, but it opens doors for fresher legs in a packed schedule.
ODI Squad Babar Azam Returns: Shaheen’s Leadership Ushers in a Pace-Heavy Core
Over in the 50-over setup, Shaheen Shah Afridi steps up as captain for the first time in ODIs, succeeding Mohammad Rizwan in a PCB shake-up aimed at injecting aggression into the team’s ethos.
Shaheen’s left-arm swing and tactical acumen make him a natural fit, especially with the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 looming on the horizon.
Notable returns spice up the ODI roster:
- Haris Rauf: The express paceman rejoins after disciplinary issues sidelined him, partnering Naseem Shah to form a fearsome new-ball duo capable of dismantling top orders.
- Faisal Akram: The left-arm pacer’s inclusion adds variety, rewarding his breakout performances in the ongoing domestic season.
- Haseebullah: The promising wicketkeeper-batter returns, offering glovework reliability and middle-order stability.
The complete ODI squad: Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (wk), Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha.
Babar Azam anchors the batting, with Fakhar Zaman’s explosive starts and Saim Ayub’s flair at the top providing balance.
Mohammad Rizwan retains his spot behind the stumps, his retention a subtle reassurance amid the captaincy flux.
The bowling attack leans heavily on pace, with Abrar Ahmed as the lone frontline spinner
—a gamble on subcontinental pitches that could pay dividends if the quicks fire.
Tactical Insights and Challenges Ahead
These squads arrive at a pivotal juncture for Pakistan cricket.
The T20I unit, under Salman Ali Agha, prioritizes versatility: Babar’s class at No. 3 allows Saim Ayub and Sahibzada Farhan to attack from the get-go,
While the seam trio of Shaheen, Naseem, and Mohammad Wasim Jnr promises early breakthroughs.
However, the lack of a specialist death bowler beyond Haris Rauf (in reserves) could test them against South Africa’s power-hitters like David Miller.
In ODIs, Shaheen’s captaincy brings a predatory edge, but questions linger over the spin department’s thinness.
With Abrar Ahmed as the primary tweaker, Pakistan might rue the absence of a second frontline spinner on turning tracks against Sri Lanka later.
Batting depth, bolstered by all-rounders like Salman Ali Agha and Hussain Talat, should mitigate collapses, but consistency remains the holy grail.
| Format | Captain | Key Returnees | Uncapped/Standouts | Reserves |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| T20I | Salman Ali Agha | Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Abdul Samad | Usman Tariq (spinner) | Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Moqim |
| ODI | Shaheen Shah Afridi | Haris Rauf, Faisal Akram, Haseebullah | Hasan Nawaz (all-rounder) | N/A |
Looking Forward: A Springboard to Global Glory ?
Pakistan’s white-ball setup has endured turbulence—captaincy carousel, injury woes, and patchy results—but these squads exude optimism.
Babar’s reintegration could heal fractures from his 2024 ouster, while Naseem and Haris’s pace battery evokes memories of the 2021 T20 World Cup semi-finalists.
Against a South African side rebuilding post their World Test Championship triumph, Pakistan has a golden chance to assert dominance at home.
As the series unfolds, expect fireworks: Shaheen’s leadership debut, Babar’s quest for form, and young guns like Saim Ayub pushing boundaries.
For a nation where cricket is religion, this could be the sermon that reignites the flame. The faithful in Rawalpindi and Lahore are ready—will the team deliver the miracle ?
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