PAK vs AUS 2026: Pakistan name squad for T20Is, Babar Azam returns after BBL

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a strong 16-man T20I squad for the upcoming three-match series against Australia. Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium will be the host for the entirety of the series before both the teams travel across India and Sri Lanka for the subsequent ICC T20 World Cup 2026. The series will be Australia’s third tour of Pakistan since March–April 2022, when they toured the country for a multi-format assignment. 

Senior pros Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi have returned to the squad after being out of the team for the away series against Sri Lanka. The spin department will be headed by Shadab Khan, who also marked his return to the T20 set-up against Lanka, with strong support from Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, and Usman Tariq. The Aussies will arrive in the Asian nation on January 28. The matches will be played on January 29, January 31 and February 1.

Pakistan’s 16-member squad

Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wk) and Usman Tariq

Cummins, Maxwell missing from Australia’s squad

Several big names, including Pat Cummins, Glenn Maxwell, and Josh Hazlewood, were missing as the Australians announced their squad for the series against the Men in Green earlier in the week. The experienced Mitchell Marsh will lead the side, while Travis Head, Cameron Green, and Josh Inglis are among those who were part of the victorious Ashes 2025-26 side. Cummins, Hazelwood, and Tim David are all still regaining fitness following their respective injuries, with the T20 World Cup less than a couple of weeks away.

Australia’s squad

Mitch Marsh (c), Sean Abbott, Xavier Bartlett, Mahli Beardman, Cooper Connolly, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Cameron Green, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Matthew Kuhnemann, Mitch Owen, Josh Philippe, Matthew Renshaw, Matt Short, Marcus Stonis, Adam Zampa