Babar Azam, Shaheen Afridi return as Pakistan announce squad for Australia T20Is
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Pakistan will be captained by Salman Agha in the three-match T20I series against Australia.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), on January 23, 2026, named a 16-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Australia at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore. The series will be the last international assignment for both teams before the T20 World Cup 2026.
The three-match T20I series is set to start on January 29. All of the matches will take place in the evening in Lahore. The remaining games are scheduled for January 31 and February 1.
On Wednesday, January 28, the Australian side is scheduled to arrive in Pakistan for their second Twenty20 International series there. They last appeared at Gaddafi Stadium in April 2022 for a single Twenty20 International.
Preparations for the series will start the next day once the team and player support staff gather in Lahore on Saturday.
Before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, which is set to take place in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8, this series will be crucial for both countries.
Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi included in Pakistan’s T20I squad
After missing the three-match away series against Sri Lanka in January, Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi have rejoined the T20I team. Salman Ali Agha will lead the Pakistan team in the series.
PCB has opted for a spin-heavy attack with the likes of Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, and Usman Tariq included in the squad. Shadab Khan will continue to build on his comeback in the previous Twenty20 International series.
Coming to the batting part, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Nafay, Sahibzada Farhan, and Usman Khan will lead the charge for hosts. Faheem Ashraf is the pace-bowling all-rounder, while Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jnr., and Naseem Shah will join Shaheen Afridi in the pace department.
Pakistan squad for Australia T20Is
Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk) and Usman Tariq
PAK vs AUS: Series schedule (All matches at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore)
1st T20I – Thursday, 29 January
2nd T20I – Saturday, 31 January
3rd T20I – Sunday, 1 February
How many T20Is will Pakistan and Australia play?
The two teams will clash in a series of three T20 Internationals.
Where will the three T20Is between Pakistan and Australia be played?
All three T20Is will be at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
What is the schedule for the Pakistan vs Australia T20I series?
The three T20Is between Pakistan and Australia will be played on January 29 and 31 and on February 1.
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