PCB announces 16-member squad for ODI series against Australia

Lahore (Web Desk): The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday named a 16-member squad for the upcoming three-match one-day international (ODI) series against Australia, which will be held from May 30 to June 4 in Rawalpindi and Lahore.

In its official announcement, the board said that three players—Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas and Rohail Nazir—have been included in the squad despite not yet having made their ODI debuts for Pakistan.

The side will once again be led by Shaheen Shah Afridi, who continues as captain. Key players Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan and Sufyan Moqim have also been recalled to the ODI setup after missing the away series against Bangladesh in March.

The PCB further clarified that Muhammad Ghazi Ghori and Rohail Nazir have been picked as the wicketkeeper-batters, while Usman Khan was not considered for selection due to illness.

It was also confirmed that Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub were left out as both are still recovering from injuries. The board stated that the two players remain under rehabilitation under the supervision of the PCB medical panel.

According to the statement, the 16 selected players will gather in Islamabad tonight and will begin training sessions under the coaching staff starting Saturday (May 23).

The Australian team is scheduled to arrive in Islamabad on Saturday as well. They will also practice at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, with further training details to be shared later.

The full squad includes Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicketkeeper), Naseem Shah, Rohail Nazir (wicketkeeper), Sahibzada Farhan, Shadab Khan, Shamyl Hussain and Sufyan Moqim.