The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially unveiled the national squads for the upcoming white-ball series against the West Indies, which includes three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and three T20 Internationals (T20Is). The announcement brings several notable changes to the squads, most significantly the inclusion of rising star Hassan Nawaz in the ODI setup for the very first time.
With preparations underway for the ICC Champions Trophy and T20 World Cup, the selectors have opted for a balance of experienced campaigners and promising young talent across both squads.
ODI Squad Overview: 7 Changes and a Debut
The 16-member ODI squad sees seven changes from the last series. Most notably, Hassan Nawaz—a consistent performer in domestic cricket—is set to make his ODI debut. His recent performances in the Pakistan Cup and ongoing domestic tournaments have caught the selectors’ attention, earning him a well-deserved call-up.
Mohammad Rizwan has been retained as the captain of the ODI side, continuing in his leadership role after leading the team successfully in recent series. His consistency with the bat and leadership behind the stumps has earned the confidence of the management.
The full 16-member ODI squad is as follows:
- Mohammad Rizwan (Captain)
- Salman Ali Agha
- Babar Azam
- Abdullah Shafiq
- Faheem Ashraf
- Fakhar Zaman
- Hassan Ali
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
- Naseem Shah
- Saim Ayub
- Hussain Talat
- Mohammad Nawaz
- Hassan Nawaz
- Abrar Ahmed
- Mohammad Haris
- Sufyan Muqim
With the inclusion of seasoned players like Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, and Shaheen Afridi, the squad looks well-rounded with both explosive batting and a powerful bowling unit.
T20I Squad Led by Salman Ali Agha
For the T20 Internationals, Salman Ali Agha has been handed the captaincy, signaling a strategic leadership experiment as the PCB continues to explore its options ahead of major global tournaments. Salman’s calm demeanor and domestic experience have earned him the nod to lead the team in the shortest format.
The T20I squad largely reflects a blend of experienced T20 specialists and emerging players. The 16-member team includes several repeat names from the ODI side, ensuring consistency and momentum across both series.
The complete T20I squad includes:
- Salman Ali Agha (Captain)
- Haris Rauf
- Hassan Ali
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
- Faheem Ashraf
- Fakhar Zaman
- Khushdil Shah
- Hussain Talat
- Mohammad Nawaz
- Hassan Nawaz
- Saim Ayub
- Abrar Ahmed
- Sahibzada Farhan
- Mohammad Haris
- Sufyan Muqim
Notably, Khushdil Shah and Sahibzada Farhan return to the T20 side, while Mohammad Haris and Saim Ayub provide fresh energy to the top order. Shaheen Afridi, Hassan Ali, and Haris Rauf will form a lethal pace attack, supported by all-rounders Faheem Ashraf and Mohammad Nawaz.
Youth Meets Experience in Balanced Selections
The squads reflect the PCB’s intention to provide ample opportunities to emerging talent without compromising on experience. Players like Mohammad Rizwan, Babar Azam, and Shaheen Afridi offer a strong foundation, while young guns like Hassan Nawaz, Sufyan Muqim, and Saim Ayub are being groomed for future responsibilities.
This dual-format series offers a golden opportunity for team management to assess player performances under pressure and fine-tune the combinations for upcoming ICC events.
What This Means for Pakistan Cricket
With the ODI and T20I series against the West Indies around the corner, this squad announcement signals the beginning of a critical preparation phase. The inclusion of new names, experimental captaincy, and a consistent core group indicate a forward-looking strategy by the PCB.
The series is expected to provide valuable match practice, assess bench strength, and refine team dynamics—making it a crucial test for Pakistan’s white-ball ambitions in 2025 and beyond.
Fans can look forward to high-octane performances, breakout talents, and possibly new stars emerging as Pakistan gears up to face a competitive West Indies side.
