Pakistan recall Babar Azam, Haris Rauf for Australia ODI series
Synopsis
Pakistan have recalled their big guns — Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, and Shadab Khan — for the three-match ODI series against Australia starting 30 May. With three uncapped players also in the mix and key absentees including Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub still injured, this squad is both a homecoming and a glimpse at Pakistan's evolving ODI depth.
Key Takeaways
Pakistan named a 16-member squad for the ODI series against Australia from 30 May to 4 June .
Babar Azam and Haris Rauf return to the side after missing the Bangladesh ODI series in March .
Shaheen Shah Afridi continues as captain; Salman Ali Agha is vice-captain.
Ahmed Daniyal , Arafat Minhas , and Rohail Nazir are uncapped in ODIs and earn first senior squad call-ups.
Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub remain sidelined with injuries; Usman Khan was unavailable due to illness.
The squad assembles in Islamabad on Friday; Australia arrive on 23 May .
Pakistan have named a 16-member squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia, with experienced batter Babar Azam and pace bowler Haris Rauf among the notable returnees to the side. The series runs from 30 May to 4 June across Rawalpindi and Lahore.
Key Returnees and Squad Changes
Left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi retains the captaincy, with Salman Ali Agha continuing as vice-captain. Alongside Babar and Haris Rauf, pacers Naseem Shah, all-rounder Shadab Khan, and spinner Sufyan Moqim have all been recalled after missing the away ODI series against Bangladesh in March.
Seven players — Salman Ali Agha, Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Sahibzada Farhan, and Shamyl Hussain — retained their places having featured in the Bangladesh series.
Three Uncapped Players in the Mix
Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, and Rohail Nazir are the three players yet to represent Pakistan in ODI cricket, earning their first senior squad call-ups. Muhammad Ghazi Ghori and Rohail Nazir have been named as the two wicketkeeper-batters in the squad.
Regular wicketkeeper Usman Khan was not considered for selection due to illness, opening the door for the two-keeper combination.
Injury Absentees
Openers Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub were also unavailable, having been ruled out earlier due to injuries. Both will continue their rehabilitation programmes under the supervision of the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) medical panel.
Preparations and Australia's Arrival
The 16-member squad is set to assemble in Islamabad on Friday evening, with training under the coaching staff commencing from Saturday. The Australia men's team is scheduled to arrive in Islamabad on 23 May and will also train at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, with session details to be confirmed by the board.
Full squad: Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wk), Naseem Shah, Rohail Nazir (wk), Sahibzada Farhan, Shadab Khan, Shamyl Hussain, Sufyan Moqim.
Point of View
Merely paused. The absence of both Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub at the top of the order is a structural worry that no amount of middle-order quality can fully paper over. How Pakistan manage the balance between their returning stars and emerging talent in a short three-match window will tell us a great deal about where this ODI side is genuinely headed.
NationPress
11 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the key players recalled to Pakistan's ODI squad against Australia?
Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan, and Sufyan Moqim have all been recalled to Pakistan's 16-member ODI squad for the Australia series. They had not featured in the ODI series against Bangladesh in March.
When and where is the Pakistan vs Australia ODI series being played?
The three-match ODI series runs from 30 May to 4 June, with matches scheduled across Rawalpindi and Lahore. Australia are set to arrive in Islamabad on 23 May for preparatory training at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium.
Who is captaining Pakistan for the Australia ODI series?
Left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi continues as Pakistan's ODI captain, with Salman Ali Agha as his vice-captain. This is the same leadership combination that led the side in the Bangladesh series.
Why are Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub not in the squad?
Both Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub were ruled out due to injuries sustained earlier and are continuing their rehabilitation under the PCB medical panel. Neither was considered for selection for the Australia series.
Which players in the squad are yet to play ODI cricket for Pakistan?
Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, and Rohail Nazir are the three uncapped players in the squad who have not yet represented Pakistan in ODI cricket. Rohail Nazir has also been named as one of two wicketkeeper-batters alongside Muhammad Ghazi Ghori.
