Lahore: Pakistan have made sweeping changes to their ODI squad for the upcoming three-match series against Australia, recalling former captain Babar Azam alongside all-rounder Shadab Khan and pace spearhead Naseem Shah.
The most notable omission from the squad is wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, who has been a mainstay in Pakistan's white-ball sides across formats in recent years. The decision signals a significant shift in team composition as Pakistan look to rebuild their ODI setup.
Adding fresh dimension to the squad, the selectors have handed maiden call-ups to three uncapped players — wicketkeeper Rohail Nazir, spinner Saim Ayub's teammate Usman Minhas, and pacer Daniyal Khan. The trio will be hoping to make their mark against one of world cricket's strongest limited-overs sides.
Babar's return comes after speculation about his place in the team, while Shadab and Naseem bring much-needed experience back into the squad. Shadab's leg-spin and batting prowess in the middle order, combined with Naseem's pace and wicket-taking ability, strengthen Pakistan's options significantly.
The three-match series represents a crucial opportunity for Pakistan to fine-tune their combinations ahead of major ICC tournaments, with Australia providing stern opposition to test the new-look squad.