The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20 International series against Australia, which will be played at Gaddafi Stadium.
The matches are scheduled for January 29 and 31, and February 1, with all games set to begin at 4:00 PM Pakistan Standard Time.
Former captain Babar Azam and fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi return to the T20I squad after missing Pakistan’s recent three-match series against Sri Lanka earlier this month, which ended in a 1–1 draw.
Salman Ali Agha will lead the side, while Shadab Khan continues his comeback and is expected to play a key role in a strong spin attack that also includes Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, and Usman Tariq.
Pakistan 16-Member Squad
Salman Ali Agha (c)
Abrar Ahmed
Babar Azam
Faheem Ashraf
Fakhar Zaman
Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (wicketkeeper)
Mohammad Nawaz
Mohammad Salman Mirza
Mohammad Wasim Jr
Naseem Shah
Sahibzada Farhan (wk)
Usman Khan (wk)
Shaheen Shah Afridi
Shadab Khan
Saim Ayub
Usman Tariq
The squad and player support personnel will assemble in Lahore on Saturday, with preparations for the series beginning the following day.
Australian team is set to arrive in Pakistan on Wednesday, January 28, marking only their second T20I series on Pakistani soil. Their previous appearance came in April 2022, when a solitary T20I was played at Gaddafi Stadium.
This series will serve as important preparation for both teams ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, scheduled to be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7 to March 8.
Pakistan have been drawn 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 tour will be Australia’s third visit to Pakistan since March–April 2022, when they toured the country for a historic Test series, followed by an ODI series and a one-off T20I. Australia also played three matches of the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 in Pakistan.
In the only T20I played at Gaddafi Stadium between the two sides on April 5, 2022, Australia recorded a narrow three-wicket victory.
Overall, Pakistan and Australia have faced each other 28 times in T20 Internationals. Australia have won 14 matches, Pakistan have secured 12 victories, while one match ended in a tie and one produced no result.
