Pakistan recall key names for Australia ODIs

Pakistan have announced a 16-member squad for the three-match ODI series against Australia, scheduled to take place from 30 May to 4 June in Rawalpindi and Lahore.

Shaheen Shah Afridi will continue to captain the side, with Salman Ali Agha named vice-captain.

The squad sees the return of several experienced names, including Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan and Sufyan Moqim, all of whom missed the ODI series against Bangladesh in March.

Pakistan squad:
Shaheen Shah Afridi (c), Salman Ali Agha, Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Maaz Sadaqat, Ghazi Ghori, Naseem Shah, Rohail Nazir, Sahibzada Farhan, Shadab Khan, Shamyl Hussain and Sufyan Moqim

Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas and Rohail Nazir are the three uncapped players included in the squad and could potentially make their ODI debuts during the series.

Salman Ali Agha, Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Sahibzada Farhan and Shamyl Hussain have all retained their places after featuring in the Bangladesh series as well.

Muhammad Ghazi Ghori and Rohail Nazir have been selected as the wicketkeeper-batters in the squad after Usman Khan was unavailable due to illness.

Meanwhile, Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub continue their rehabilitation after injuries and were not considered for selection.

The series will mark Australia’s first bilateral ODI tour of Pakistan since 2022, when the hosts secured a 2-1 series victory. Earlier this year, Pakistan also swept Australia 3-0 in a T20I series in Lahore.

With the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup approaching next year, the series offers both teams an important opportunity to fine-tune combinations in the 50-over format.

Australia tour of Pakistan schedule:

First ODI: May 30, Rawalpindi

Second ODI: June 2, Lahore

Third ODI: June 4, Lahore