Pakistan continue selection circus: Babar in, Rizwan out in squad for Australia ODIs
In what has become a typical game of musical chairs, the Pakistan selectors have announced a much-altered 16-man squad for the upcoming three-match home ODI series against Australia. Starting May 30, the series sees the return of high-profile batting mainstay Babar Azam, balanced by the headline-grabbing omission of senior batsman Mohammad Rizwan.
The announcement of the team comes on the heels Pakistan’s demoralizing 0-2 Test series defeat to Bangladesh. Rizwan, who has been one of the few fighting sparks for Pakistan during this red-ball assignment, has paid the price for his recent poor run in the 50-over format.
During the away ODI series against Bangladesh in March, the veteran managed just 58 runs in three matches. However, his swift ax highlights the volatile nature of Pakistan’s selection policy; last year alone, Rizwan was one of the most prolific performers in the lineup, amassing 569 runs across 17 ODIs at an impressive average of 43.76, including a century and four fifties.
In contrast, Babar Azam completes his own cycle of the selection carousel. In March, he fell for the Bangladesh ODI in response to his poor form in the T20 World Cup, the former captain was recalled to strengthen the top order. Like Rizwan’s dismissal, Babar’s initial dismissal raised eyebrows given his stellar ODI record in 2025, when he scored 544 runs in 17 matches at an extraordinary average of 77.16.
After Rizwan was dropped, the selection committee named Muhammad Ghazi Ghori and the uncapped Rohail Nazir as the two designated wicketkeeper-batters in the team. The haphazard shuffling of wickets was precipitated after Usman Khan was ruled out of consideration due to ongoing illness.
Left-arm quick Shaheen Shah Afridi retains the captaincy and leads a team that welcomes back several top stars. Along with Babar, paceman Naseem Shah, all-rounder Shadab Khan and spinner Sufyan Moqim have been recalled after missing the tour of Bangladesh in March.
Conversely, injuries continue to plague Pakistan’s structural planning. Explosive opener Fakhar Zaman and young batsman Saim Ayub were not available for selection as they continue their respective rehabilitation programs under the supervision of the PCB medical panel. In their absence, uncapped players Ahmed Daniyal and Arafat Minhas were drafted into the senior squad.
The 16-man squad is expected to assemble in Islamabad on Friday and their training camp will begin on Saturday, May 23 under head coach Mike Hesson. The visiting Australian contingent is also expected to land in Islamabad on May 23, setting the stage for a high-stakes white-ball series across Rawalpindi and Lahore.
SQUAD ODI – PAKISTAN VS AUSTRALIA
Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (goalkeeper), Naseem Shah, Rohail-Khail Nazir, Shahibda Farbrand, Sahibda Farwick, Shahibawicketyl Hussain and Sufyan Moqim.
PLAN FOR THE ODI SERIES
May 30 – 1st ODI, Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
June 2 – 2nd ODI, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
June 4 – 3rd ODI, Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
– The end
Issued by:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
22 May 2026 10:48 IST
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