Babar Azam and Haris Rauf (Source:X)In a significant development, the Pakistan Cricket Board has announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Australia, to be played at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. It is important to note that the first T20I will be played on January 29, followed by the second on January 31, and the last on February 1. All the matches will be played at the Gaddafi Stadium.This series will play an important role for both teams as the T20 World Cup is just around the corner.Pakistan are in Group A alongside the USA, Namibia, the Netherlands, and co-hosts India. Meanwhile, Australia are part of Group B with Sri Lanka, Ireland, Oman, and Zimbabwe for the marquee tournament.Pakistan get ready for final frontier before T20 World Cup 2026The squad sees the return of senior players Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi, who had missed Pakistan's recent T20I series against Sri Lanka in January.Their inclusion is expected to strengthen both the batting and bowling units as Pakistan prepares to face a strong Australian side. However, fast bowler Haris Rauf is a notable omission from the squad.Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi returnBabar Azam was recently playing in the BBL 2025-26. However, he announced that he would miss the remainder of the Big Bash League in Australia, as he will participate in Pakistan's much-anticipated team camp ahead of the T20I series.In the BBL, Babar Azam made 202 runs in 11 innings at a strike rate of 103.06 and an average of 22.44.Shaheen Afridi also played for the first time in the Big Bash League. However, his time with the Brisbane Heat ended early because he got injured. Since then, he has been recovering, and his injury ahead of the T20 World Cup would have worried the team a little. But now that the T20 squad has been announced, it looks like he is ready to play again.All-rounder Shadab Khan continues his comeback and will play a key role, especially in the spin department. He will be supported by a solid group of spinners, including Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, and Usman Tariq.The Pakistan squad and support staff are expected to gather in Lahore on Saturday, 24 January, with training sessions beginning the following day.Australia is set to arrive in Pakistan on Wednesday, 28 February, and this tour will mark only their second T20I series on Pakistani soil, following a single match played in Lahore in April 2022.It is also vital to note that Australia has also announced its 17-player squad earlier this week. The team has rested five top players, including Pat Cummins, Glenn Maxwell, Josh Hazlewood, Tim David, and Nathan Ellis.Pakistan's 16-member squad for T20I series against AustraliaSalman 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 TariqSeries Schedule:1st T20I: Thursday, 29 January 2nd T20I: Saturday, 31 January3rd T20I: Sunday, 1 February( All matches will be played at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore)
