Pakistan names 16-player squad for ODI series vs Australia

Pakistan has announced a 16-player squad for a three-match One Day International series against Australia, beginning next week. The squad marks the return of several key players following a challenging tour of Bangladesh.

The series will commence on May 30 in Rawalpindi, with subsequent matches scheduled for June 2 and June 4 in Lahore. Australia is set to arrive in Islamabad on May 23. This bilateral series represents Australia's first ODI tour of Pakistan since 2022.

Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi will continue as captain, with Salman Ali Agha serving as vice-captain. The most notable inclusion is star batter Babar Azam, who returns after missing the away series in Bangladesh due to a fitness issue. Azam recently staged a comeback by scoring 588 runs in the Pakistan Super League. Other senior players returning to the ODI setup include fast bowlers Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah, and all-rounder Shadab Khan, who last played an ODI for Pakistan at the 2023 World Cup.

The squad also introduces three uncapped ODI players: fast bowler Ahmed Daniyal, spinning all-rounder Arafat Minhas, and wicketkeeper-batter Rohail Nazir. Left-arm spinner Sufyan Moqim earns a recall after finishing as...