South Africa-Pakistan tour: ODI and T20I fixtures

WEB DESK: Following a dismal performance today in Rawalpindi, Pakistan cricket fans are now gearing towards T20 Internationals (T20Is) and One-Day Internationals (ODIs) series hosting South Africa. Favourites of many, Babar Azam and Naseem Shah have been named in the squads for the upcoming white-ball series, marking their return to international action. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced line-ups for both today, putting an end to all speculations of the squad.

The three-match T20I series will be played from October 28 to November 1, followed by a three-match ODI series from November 4 to 8. Matches will be held across Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Faisalabad.

Salman Ali Agha will continue to lead the T20I side, while Shaheen Shah Afridi returns wearing the skipper hat albeit for ODI this time.

Selectors have also handed a maiden T20 call-up to young all-rounder Usman Tariq, while Abdul Samad returns to the squad after missing recent series. In the ODI squad, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, and Haseebullah make their comebacks to bolster Pakistan’s bowling and middle order.

The South Africa series is Pakistan’s first white-ball assignment of the home season and will serve as preparation for next year’s international tournaments.

Fixtures

T20I Series (South Africa tour of Pakistan)

• 28 October: 1st T20I – Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi
• 31 October: 2nd T20I – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
• 1 November: 3rd T20I – Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore

ODI Series

• 4 November: 1st ODI – Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
• 6 November: 2nd ODI – Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad
• 8 November: 3rd ODI – Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad

Pakistan squad

T20I Squad:
Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Nawaz, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan (wk), Usman Tariq

Reserves: Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Sufiyan Muqeem

ODI Squad:
Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Faisal Akram, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Hasan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha