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Abdullah Zahid
LAHORE: Pakistan’s National Men’s Selection Committee has announced a 16-member squad for the three-match ODI series against Australia scheduled to begin on May 30 in Rawalpindi.
The ODI series will be played in Rawalpindi and Lahore from May 30 to June 4, with left-arm fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi continuing as captain of the side. Salman Ali Agha has been named vice-captain for the series.
The squad includes three uncapped ODI players — Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas and Rohail Nazir — who are yet to represent Pakistan in the 50-over format.
Pakistan have also recalled several senior players, including Babar Azam, Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan and Sufyan Moqim, all of whom missed the ODI tour of Bangladesh earlier this year.
The selection committee confirmed that wicketkeeper-batters Muhammad Ghazi Ghori and Rohail Nazir have been included after Usman Khan was ruled out of selection due to illness.
Meanwhile, opening batters Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub were not considered for selection as both continue rehabilitation programmes under the supervision of the Pakistan Cricket Board’s medical panel following injuries.
The Pakistan squad will assemble in Islamabad before beginning preparations under newly appointed head coach Mike Hesson and the support staff from May 23.
Australia’s men’s cricket team is also scheduled to arrive in Islamabad on May 23 and will hold training sessions at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium ahead of the opening match.
The first ODI will be played at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium on May 30, while the remaining two matches will take place at Gaddafi Stadium on June 2 and June 4. All matches are scheduled to begin at 4:30pm local time.
The ODI series is expected to serve as an important assignment for Pakistan as the team continues preparations for upcoming international tournaments and evaluates combinations under its evolving leadership and coaching setup.
