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- Pakistan Cricket Board names 15-man T20I and 16-man ODI squads for busy home season
- The two series form part of Pakistan’s preparations for next year’s ICC Champions Trophy
KARACHI: Pakistan on Thursday named a 15-member squad for the upcoming T20I series against South Africa and a tri-nation tournament with Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe, recalling star batter Babar Azam and fast bowler Naseem Shah after their absence from recent white-ball fixtures.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) also announced a 16-member squad for the one-day internationals against South Africa and Sri Lanka next month. The two-matchups form part of Pakistan’s preparations ahead of next year’s ICC Champions Trophy, which the country is set to host.
“Abdul Samad, Babar Azam and Naseem Shah make a comeback to the side after missing out on previous events,” the PCB said in a statement. “Usman Tariq is the only uncapped player in the T20I squad.”
The three-match T20I series against South Africa will run from Oct. 28 to Nov. 1 in Rawalpindi and Lahore, followed by ODIs in Faisalabad from Nov. 4 to 8.
Pakistan will then host Sri Lanka for three ODIs in Rawalpindi from Nov. 11 to 15, before staging a T20I tri-series featuring Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe from Nov. 17 to 29.
In the ODI squad, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf and Haseebullah return to the side, while Shaheen Shah Afridi will lead the 50-over team and Salman Ali Agha will captain the T20 outfit.