Pakistan have taken a decisive step towards fine-tuning their ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 campaign with the return of senior duo Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Australia.
The Pakistan Cricket Board on Friday announced a 16-member squad for the series, which begins on January 29 at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, with the contest set to serve as a crucial dress rehearsal ahead of the global event in India and Sri Lanka next month.
Babar and Shaheen had been rested for Pakistan’s recent away T20I series against Sri Lanka, but their inclusion now underlines the management’s intent to settle combinations and leadership roles before the marquee tournament.
For Pakistan, the timing of their return could hardly be more significant. With expectations high and a demanding Group A featuring India, USA, Namibia and the Netherlands, the presence of experience and proven match-winners will be central to their World Cup ambitions.
Leadership, pace and balance restored
Babar’s return adds stability at the top of the order, an area Pakistan have experimented with in his absence, while Shaheen’s comeback restores bite to a pace attack that will also include Naseem Shah and Mohammad Wasim Jr.
The squad is captained by Salman Ali Agha, with the selectors continuing to back a blend of experience and emerging talent as Pakistan look to strike the right balance before the World Cup.
Encouragingly for Pakistan, Shadab Khan continues his comeback following a six-month absence from international cricket. His inclusion strengthens a spin department that also features Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz and Usman Tariq, offering variety and control — a key requirement on subcontinent surfaces.
Australia series a final audition
The Australia series represents Pakistan’s final opportunity to assess combinations under pressure against top-tier opposition. Australia, T20 world champions in 2021, will provide a stern test despite having limited experience playing the format on Pakistan soil.
The visitors are set to arrive in Lahore later this month and will play just their second T20I series in Pakistan, having last featured in a solitary match in 2022.
With conditions in Lahore expected to mirror those in India and Sri Lanka, performances in this series are likely to carry significant weight as Pakistan lock in their preferred XI for the World Cup.
Pakistan T20I squad vs Australia
Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan and Usman Tariq.
Pakistan will be hoping the return of their senior stars brings clarity and momentum at a time when preparation, confidence and consistency could define their T20 World Cup journey.
