The Pakistan Cricket Board has officially announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming T20I series against Australia, bringing back two of its biggest stars in Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi. The three-match series will be played at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, marking another significant international tour on home soil.
The Pakistan vs Australia T20I series will take place on January 29, January 31, and February 1, with all matches scheduled to begin at 4 pm PST. Australia is set to arrive in Pakistan on January 28, making this their second T20I series in the country since 2022.
Former captain Babar Azam and pace spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi return to the T20I setup after missing Pakistan’s recent series against Sri Lanka, which concluded in a 1-1 draw. Their inclusion adds experience and balance to a squad preparing for a demanding international calendar.
Shadab Khan continues his comeback and remains a central figure in the team’s spin bowling unit, supported by Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, and Usman Tariq. The combination offers Pakistan strong middle overs control, an area seen as crucial ahead of major global tournaments.
The squad and support staff will assemble in Lahore on Saturday, with training sessions beginning the following day. This series holds added importance as it serves as preparation for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to be held in India and Sri Lanka.
Pakistan has been placed 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. The Lahore series will allow both teams to fine-tune their combinations ahead of the global event.
Historically, Pakistan and Australia have faced each other 28 times in T20 internationals, with Australia winning 14 matches and Pakistan claiming 12 victories, highlighting a closely contested rivalry.
