PCB announces T20 squad for Australia series, Salman Ali Agha named captain

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced the national squad for the upcoming T20 series against Australia, with Salman Ali Agha appointed as captain.

Senior players Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi have returned to the T20 setup, while Abdul Samad has been dropped from the squad. Fast bowler Haris Rauf has once again failed to secure a place in the national side.

Salman Ai Agha led squad includes Babar Azam, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah. Fakhar Zaman, Saim Ayub, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Wasim Jr and Mohammad Salman Mirza have also been selected.

Other players named in the squad are Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz, Usman Tariq, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Sahibzada Farhan and Usman Khan.

The Australian team is scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on January 28. The three-match T20 series will be played in Lahore on January 29 and 31, and February 1.

Meanwhile, Haris Rauf has reacted to his exclusion from Pakistan’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2026. He said that being left out would be disappointing but stressed that it would not mark the end of his career.

The PCB has not yet announced the final squad for the T20 World Cup, though reports suggest the fast bowler could be omitted. Some media reports have also claimed that white-ball head coach Mike Hesson is not in favour of his inclusion.

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Rauf last played a T20 international for Pakistan during the Asia Cup 2025 final against India on September 28, where he conceded 50 runs in 3.4 overs while defending a target of 146. Following that performance, questions were raised about his ability to perform under pressure in big matches.

He was subsequently dropped from the T20 squads for the away series against Sri Lanka and the ongoing home series against Australia.

In a recent interview, Rauf said he was mentally prepared for the possibility of missing out on the World Cup. “If I am not included in the T20 World Cup, it will definitely be disappointing, but it will not be the end of my career,” he said, adding that he continues to work hard and is ready to perform whenever given the chance.

Despite his absence from the national team, Rauf’s form remains strong. Representing Melbourne Stars in Big Bash League 15, he is currently leading the wickets chart with 20 wickets in 11 matches.