LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Australia, scheduled to be played at Gaddafi Stadium.
The matches will take place on 29 and 31 January and 1 February, with all games starting at 4:00 PM PST.
Former captain Babar Azam and fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi return to the T20I squad after missing Pakistan’s recent three-match series in Sri Lanka earlier this month, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
Shadab Khan will continue his comeback momentum and is set to lead a strong spin-bowling unit alongside Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz and Usman Tariq.
The squad and support staff are scheduled to assemble in Lahore on Saturday, with preparations for the series beginning the following day.
Australia are set to arrive in Pakistan on 28 January, marking only their second T20I series on Pakistani soil after a solitary match in April 2022, also held at Gaddafi Stadium.
The series will serve as crucial preparation for both sides ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled in India and Sri Lanka from 7 February to 8 March.
Pakistan have been drawn in Group A alongside India, the USA, the Netherlands and Namibia, while Australia will compete in Group B with Sri Lanka, Ireland, Zimbabwe and Oman.
Historically, Pakistan and Australia have faced each other 28 times in T20Is. Australia have won 14 matches, Pakistan 12, with one tie and one no-result.
Pakistan 16-Member Squad:
Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk) and Usman Tariq.
Player Support Personnel:
Naveed Akram Cheema (Team Manager), Mike Hesson (Head Coach), Ashley Noffke (Bowling Coach), Shane McDermott (Fielding Coach), Hanif Malik (Batting Coach), Cliffe Deacon (Physiotherapist), Grant Luden (Strength & Conditioning Coach), Talha Ejaz (Performance Analyst), Syed Naeem Ahmed (Media Manager), Lt. Col. (r) Usman Anwari (Security Manager), Dr Wajid Ali Rafai (Team Doctor), Dr Raheel Karim (Psychiatrist) and Muhammad Ehsan (Masseur)
Series Schedule (All Matches at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore):
1st T20I: Thursday, 29 January – 4:00 PM PKT
2nd T20I: Saturday, 31 January – 4:00 PM PKT
3rd T20I: Sunday, 1 February – 4:00 PM PKT
