The Pakistan Cricket Board has recently appointed Mohammad Rizwan as the white-ball captain of the national team, positioning him for his inaugural leadership challenge during the upcoming one-day international and T20 series against Australia scheduled for next month. This series is particularly significant for the team, as it also heralds the return of star players Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Naseem Shah, all of whom were not a part of Pakistan's last two Test matches against England. Their inclusion in the squad for both white-ball formats signals a strategic decision aimed at strengthening the team's performance.
Although Rizwan is set to lead the squad against Australia, he will not participate in the subsequent ODI and T20I series in Zimbabwe. Instead, Agha Salman, who has been selected for all four white-ball squads in the upcoming tours, has been appointed as vice-captain and will lead the team in the T20I series against Zimbabwe while Rizwan takes a step back. Rizwan expressed his commitment to the role, emphasizing his intention to collaborate closely with selectors, coaches, and his exceptionally skilled teammates to fulfill the expectations of fans and supporters alike.
The current squad for the Australia series does not include Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq, both of whom were notably absent from the central contract list earlier this year. Historically, central contracts have not always precisely predicted a player’s presence in the national squad, which can lead to unexpected selections. For example, Mohammad Hasnain, who did not obtain a central contract, has made the cut for all four white-ball squads due to his remarkable performance in the Champions One-Day Cup, where he was awarded Player of the Tournament.
In contrast, Shadab Khan has been dropped from the squad, and left-arm wrist spinner Sufiyan Muqeem has been incorporated into both T20I travelling teams. Additionally, off-spin bowling all-rounder Qasim Akram has been included in the squad for the Zimbabwe T20Is.
The chairman of the PCB, Mohsin Naqvi, acknowledged that Fakhar’s recent social media activity criticizing Babar Azam’s exclusion from the Test side played a role in his omission. However, he reiterated that the primary concern lies in Fakhar's inability to pass the fitness test, which is a crucial factor for selection. Naqvi highlighted the need for players to align with the integrity of the selection process, stressing that public criticism directed at the selection committee is unacceptable.
In addition to the squad announcements, Mohammad Haris, the wicketkeeper from the Pakistan Shaheens, has fallen out of favor and is not included in any of the upcoming squads. In his place, Haseebullah Khan, who made a solitary T20I appearance in New Zealand earlier this year, has been chosen for all four squads.
Another notable exclusion is Saim Ayub, who has gained recognition for his aggressive T20 batting style but has not delivered consistent results in recent performances. He is still selected for both ODI squads, demonstrating the selectors’ intent to provide him with another opportunity to perform at the international level.
The ODI series against Australia, which is set to commence on November 4, will mark Pakistan's first engagement in this format since the World Cup held in India the previous year. This encounter is pivotal as it initiates a busy schedule leading up to the Champions Trophy slated for February. This tournament holds special significance as it will be the first major ICC event hosted by Pakistan since the 1996 World Cup, showcasing the nation’s commitment to fostering international cricket.
Following the Australia series, Pakistan's cricketers will face Zimbabwe and engage in further ODI and T20I matches against South Africa. There is also a tri-series to be held in Multan, involving teams from New Zealand and South Africa, just prior to the Champions Trophy.
For the Australia tour, the detailed squad selections are as follows for the ODI and T20I formats:
ODI Squad for Australia:
Mohammad Rizwan (captain, wicketkeeper)
Aamer Jamal
Abdullah Shafique
Agha Salman
Arafat Minhas
Babar Azam
Faisal Akram
Haris Rauf
Haseebullah Khan (wicketkeeper)
Irfan Khan
Kamran Ghulam
Mohammad Hasnain
Naseem Shah
Saim Ayub
Shaheen Shah Afridi
T20I Squad for Australia:
Mohammad Rizwan (captain, wicketkeeper)
Abbas Afridi
Agha Salman
Arafat Minhas
Babar Azam
Haris Rauf
Haseebullah Khan (wicketkeeper)
Irfan Khan
Jahandad Khan
Naseem Shah
Omair Yousuf
Sahibzada Farhan
Shaheen Shah Afridi
Sufiyan Muqeem
Usman Khan
As the players prepare for the Australia series, the focus will be on establishing a cohesive and competitive team dynamic that can effectively tackle the challenges ahead, inspiring confidence among fans and building momentum as they approach critical matches in the upcoming months.