Pakistan Squad for Australia T20, The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the **Pakistan squad for the upcoming T20I series against Australia — a key preparation for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. The three-match Twenty20 International series will be played at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore from January 29 to February 1, 2026.
The series is an important chance for Pakistan to fine-tune their combinations before the World Cup, which begins on February 7, 2026 in India and Sri Lanka.
📋 Pakistan Squad for Australia T20 (2026)
The 16-member squad includes a blend of experience and emerging talent with a focus on balance across batting, pace, spin and wicketkeeping roles:
- Salman Ali Agha (Captain)
- Abrar Ahmed
- Babar Azam
- Faheem Ashraf
- Fakhar Zaman
- Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (Wicket-keeper)
- Mohammad Nawaz
- Mohammad Salman Mirza
- Mohammad Wasim Junior
- Naseem Shah
- Sahibzada Farhan (Wicket-keeper)
- Saim Ayub
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
- Shadab Khan
- Usman Khan (Wicket-keeper)
- Usman Tariq
🚨 Key Inclusions and Returns
⭐ Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi Make Comebacks
Two of Pakistan’s biggest T20 stars — Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi — return to the T20I squad after missing the recent series against Sri Lanka earlier in January 2026. Both players re-join the side with an eye on sharpening their form ahead of the T20 World Cup.
- Babar had been participating in the Big Bash League (BBL) but cut short his stint to join national camp.
- Shaheen returns after recovering from a knee injury sustained during the BBL.
Their inclusion significantly boosts Pakistan’s middle order and bowling attack and adds experience to a side that will be under pressure against a strong Australian lineup.
🧠 Leadership and Purpose
Salman Ali Agha will lead the side in this series, offering continuity from recent multi-nation competitions. His leadership will be key as Pakistan tests combinations and roles, especially with the World Cup looming.
The series will be played at 4 pm (PKT) for all three fixtures:
- 1st T20I: January 29, 2026
- 2nd T20I: January 31, 2026
- 3rd T20I: February 1, 2026
🎯 Team Balance and Selection Strategy
Pakistan’s selection reflects a mix designed for flexibility:
🧤 Batting Options
- Babar Azam and Fakhar Zaman bring experience and top-order stability.
- Saim Ayub, Usman Khan, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay and Sahibzada Farhan provide support and finishing capabilities.
🪶 Bowling Arsenal
- Pace Attack: Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, Mohammad Wasim Jr and Faheem Ashraf offer a good mix of pace and variation.
- Spin Department: Abrar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Nawaz and Usman Tariq form a strong spin contingent to exploit Lahore conditions.
🔄 Wicketkeeping Depth
Three players — Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Sahibzada Farhan, and Usman Khan — are included to provide depth and flexibility behind the stumps.
📌 Why This Series Matters
1. Final Preparation Before the T20 World Cup
The Pakistan vs Australia T20I series represents Pakistan’s last bilateral assignment before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, making it crucial for players to finalize form, combinations and roles.
2. Strong Opponent
Although Australia may rotate some players — with rest decisions for several senior stars ahead of the World Cup — the series offers valuable competitive exposure for Pakistan’s squad.
3. Momentum Building
Success in this home series could provide Pakistan with confidence and momentum heading into the global tournament, where they will face teams like India, Netherlands and USA in Group A.
📆 Series Context & Schedule
All matches in the series will be played at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, providing a familiar home condition for the Pakistan team.
- 1st T20I: Thursday, January 29, 2026
- 2nd T20I: Saturday, January 31, 2026
- 3rd T20I: Sunday, February 1, 2026
Each game will start at 4 pm Pakistan Standard Time (PKT), offering fans prime-time action at a historic venue.
🧠 Strategic Goals Ahead of the World Cup
Pakistan’s strategy in this series appears to center around:
- Gelling team combinations under match pressure.
- Assessing batting depth and all-round capabilities.
- Sharpening bowling plans against a quality batting side.
With Australia also using this series as a build-up to the biggest T20 event of the year, both sides are expected to take the contests seriously, even if squad rotations occur.
📊 Pakistan’s T20 Prospects in 2026
Pakistan’s T20 side has been in transition, mixing core performers with emerging talents. The return of Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi signals that the team management is keen on experience leading the charge, while promising options such as Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Mohammad Salman Mirza and Usman Tariq are being groomed for future roles.
Spin bowling depth with Shadab Khan and Abrar Ahmed adds tactical options in the middle overs, while the pace battery led by Shaheen Afridi and Naseem Shah looks to exploit pace-friendly conditions in Lahore.
📌 Wrap-Up
The Pakistan squad for Australia T20Is is a thoughtful mix of seasoned leaders and promising young talent, strategically assembled to compete in a crucial series before the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. With Babar Azam returning and Shaheen Afridi fit again, Pakistan aims to refine its unit and build momentum ahead of the World Cup campaign.
Stay tuned for match previews, player analysis and live coverage as Pakistan takes on Australia in this exciting three-match T20I series starting January 29, 2026.
