Pakistan cricket fans may soon witness the return of Babar Azam and Naseem Shah to the shortest format as both players are reportedly in contention for selection in the upcoming T20 series against South Africa.
According to sources, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selection committee met on Friday to finalise the squad for the limited-overs series. The committee has confirmed that no player has been ruled out of contention, emphasizing that all selections will be made strictly on team requirements and current form as part of the final preparations for the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
If confirmed, this will mark Babar Azam’s return to T20 Internationals after a gap since Pakistan’s 2024 tour of South Africa, where he last appeared in the format. Naseem Shah, meanwhile, is expected to make his T20 comeback after recovering from injuries that kept him out of the squad since November 2024, when he last featured against Australia.
The selectors are reportedly focused on building a balanced and competitive lineup, blending experience with fresh talent. “The goal is to ensure Pakistan field a side capable of adapting to varying conditions and sustaining form through the T20 World Cup,” the source added.
The upcoming series will serve as a crucial testing ground for Pakistan’s T20 strategy and player combinations ahead of the global event.
Match Schedule
The three-match T20I series will kick off on October 28 in Rawalpindi, followed by the second and third matches at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on October 30 and November 1, respectively.
Following the T20 leg, the action will shift to the three-match ODI series in Faisalabad, scheduled from November 4 to 8.
This home series against South Africa is seen as an essential opportunity for Pakistan to fine-tune its white-ball squad combinations and strengthen team cohesion ahead of the World Cup year.
