2 weeks Ago By Aayush Kataria
After being dropped from the Test squad, Babar Azam, alongside Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah, was recalled to the Pakistan squad for the upcoming ODI and T20I series against Australia. However, the trio were not picked for the white-ball assignment against Zimbabwe, which is also scheduled to take place in November. The Australia tour will be the first white-ball assignment Pakistan will play since Babar resigned from captaincy of the team in ODIs and T20Is.
The new captain is set to be announced in a short while, and his maiden assignment will be to lead Pakistan Down Under, where they will play three ODI and T20I games each. Days after the series, Pakistan will travel to Zimbabwe, where they will also play three ODI and T20I games each. While Babar, Shaheen, and Naseem will take part in the Australia series, they have been left out of the squad for the tour of Zimbabwe in both formats.
Why Is Babar Azam Not Part Of Pakistan ODI And T20I Squad To Face Zimbabwe? While there was some suggestions that Babar has been dropped from the white-ball squad to, his presence in the touring party to Australia shows he remains part of PCB's plan in limited-over cricket. It is worth noting Babar and Mohammed Rizwan are the only two players who were given a ' Grade A' central contract by the PCB. The Pakistan cricket governing body made it clear in their press release that Babar alongside Shaheen and Naseem have been rested for the Zimbabwe tour.
"Babar Azam, Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi, who were given a break from the last two Tests against England, return for the Australia matches but will be rested for the Zimbabwe tour. Similarly, Mohammad Rizwan will be available for the Australia matches and Zimbabwe ODIs, but will be rested from the Zimbabwe T20Is.This approach follows the selectors’ rotation policy and provides opportunities to domestic performers, aligning with the team’s strategy for the ICC Champions Trophy and beyond," said PCB.
Just days after the Zimbabwe tour ends, Pakistan are scheduled to play a two-match Test series in South Africa. ODI SQUAD: Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (WK), Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shahnawaz Dahani and Tayyab Tahir T20I SQUAD: Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (WK), Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair bin Yousuf, Qasim Akram, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir and Usman Khan Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from Cricket, Sports and around the world..
