In a strategic blend of experience and youth, Pakistan’s cricket selectors have finalized the 15-member squads set to face Australia and Zimbabwe across three ODIs and three T20Is. These highly anticipated tours, scheduled from November to early December, reflect Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) latest rotation policy. Key players, including Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, will participate in select matches to manage workload, allowing room for promising newcomers to shine on the international stage.
In an effort to safeguard players’ fitness and prepare a well-rounded squad for future tournaments, the PCB has strategically decided to alternate key players across the tours. While Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, and Shaheen Shah Afridi return for the Australia leg, they’ll take a breather during the Zimbabwe series, allowing emerging players like Aamir Jamal, Haseebullah, and Saim Ayub to gain crucial international exposure. Mohammad Rizwan, another top performer, will play the ODIs in Zimbabwe but rest for the T20Is, keeping his focus sharpened for the upcoming Champions Trophy.
This rotation approach is a significant shift aimed at expanding Pakistan’s player pool. As PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi unveils the white-ball captain in an upcoming media conference, all eyes are on Lahore to witness the direction of Pakistan’s cricket leadership.
The selectors have introduced several domestic players to the international stage, offering a unique opportunity for uncapped talent to show their mettle. Aamir Jamal, Arafat Minhas, Faisal Akram, Haseebullah, Muhammad Irfan Khan, and Saim Ayub make up the fresh faces in the ODI lineup, while Jahandad Khan and Salman Ali Agha join the T20I squad for the first time. This approach aligns with Pakistan’s vision to nurture versatile players who can handle both formats with confidence and skill.
Fast bowler Mohammad Hasnain, known for his stellar performance in the Champions One-Day Cup, is back in the ODI squad. Hasnain’s recent record of 17 wickets in Faisalabad last month underscores his readiness to make an impact against the formidable Australian and Zimbabwean sides.
The rotation policy extends to squad dynamics, with the ODIs and T20Is in each tour featuring a unique blend of players:
- ODI Squad (Australia and Zimbabwe): Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (WK), Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi
- T20I Squad (Australia and Zimbabwe): Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Omair Bin Yousuf, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, Usman Khan