Pakistan announce 16-member squad for Australia ODI Series — Why is Mohammad Rizwan left out & Shaheen Afridi named captain?

The Pakistan Cricket Board has officially announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia, scheduled to be played from May 30 to June 4 in Rawalpindi and Lahore. The bilateral series will mark Australia’s first 50-over tour of Pakistan since 2022 and is expected to attract significant attention from cricket fans across the world.

The series presents an important opportunity for Pakistan to regain momentum on home soil after a disappointing run against Bangladesh earlier this year.  The Men in Green had suffered a 2-1 ODI series defeat in Mirpur while fielding an experimental side, although Salman Ali Agha impressed with a century in the final match of the series.

The newly announced squad includes several notable changes. Former captain Babar Azam has returned to the ODI setup after missing the Bangladesh tour due to fitness concerns. However, wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan has been left out following a lean patch in the 50-over format, despite showing resilience during Pakistan’s recent 2-0 Test series defeat against Bangladesh. Through this article, we will cover all the key details and major talking points ahead of this exciting ODI series.

Why is Mohammad Rizwan left out of Pakistan's squad for the Australia ODI series — Dropped or rested?

The exact reason behind Mohammad Rizwan’s exclusion from Pakistan’s ODI squad for the upcoming series against Australia has not yet been officially clarified by the Pakistan Cricket Board or head coach Mike Hesson. However, several media reports have suggested that Rizwan’s recent poor run of form in ODI cricket may have played a major role in the decision.

Statistically, Rizwan enjoyed an excellent 2025 in the 50-over format, scoring 569 runs in 17 ODI matches at an impressive average of 43.8 and a strike rate of 72.6. His performances included one century and four half-centuries, with a highest score of 122. However, his form has dipped sharply in 2026, where he has managed only 58 runs in three ODI matches at an average of 19.3 and a strike rate of 69.9, with a best score of 44.

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During Pakistan’s recent ODI series against Bangladesh, Rizwan struggled to make an impact and scored just 58 runs across the three matches. Despite playing a few resilient knocks during the Test series, the veteran wicketkeeper-batter was ultimately left out of the ODI setup. However, the Pakistan management has still not officially confirmed whether Rizwan has been dropped because of form or simply rested ahead of future assignments.

Pakistan's full 16-member squad for Australia ODI series — Key inclusions, surprises & what it means

According to the Pakistan Cricket Board, left-arm pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi has been appointed captain for the upcoming ODI series against Australia, while Salman Ali Agha will serve as vice-captain. The 16-member squad includes several major returns, with Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan and Sufyan Moqim all making their comeback after missing the ODI series against Bangladesh in March.

The squad also features a few surprise selections, with Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas and Rohail Nazir receiving opportunities despite being uncapped at the ODI level. Players such as Salman Ali Agha, Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori, Sahibzada Farhan and Shamyl Hussain have retained their places after featuring in the Bangladesh series. Muhammad Ghazi Ghori and Rohail Nazir have been picked as the designated wicketkeeper-batters after Usman Khan was ruled out because of illness.

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After enduring a disappointing campaign in the 2026 T20 World Cup, Babar Azam had missed the Bangladesh series due to injury, but the former Pakistan captain has now been recalled to strengthen the batting lineup. With Mohammad Rizwan absent from the squad, the team management has placed their trust in younger wicketkeeping options. Meanwhile, experienced names like Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan and Sufyan Moqim add balance and depth to the squad. However, explosive opener Fakhar Zaman and young batter Saim Ayub were unavailable for selection.

Here is a look at the Pakistan ODI squad for the Australia series:

Shaheen Shah Afridi (captain), Salman Ali Agha (vice-captain), Abdul Samad, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Maaz Sadaqat, Muhammad Ghazi Ghori (wicket-keeper), Naseem Shah, Rohail Nazir (wicket-keeper), Sahibzada Farhan, Shadab Khan, Shamyl Hussain and Sufyan Moqim.

Shaheen Afridi named Pakistan ODI captain for Australia series — What the stats & experts say

Shaheen Afridi taking the captaincy is a big moment for Pakistan cricket. The selectors have shown that they trust him not just as a bowler but also as a leader. Shaheen has been one of the best fast bowlers in the world for the last few years and now he gets the chance to prove himself as a captain too. Experts believe that giving him the captaincy could bring more energy and aggression to the Pakistan side. Many former cricketers have also backed this decision, saying that a fast bowler leading the attack from the front can make a big difference in Australian conditions.

When you look at his numbers, it is easy to see why the selectors made this call. In 2025, Shaheen picked up 16 wickets in 12 ODI matches at an economy rate of 6.26 and an average of 39.2, with his best figures being 4/51. He carried that form into 2026 as well, taking 4 wickets in just 3 matches at an even better economy rate of 5.60 and an average of 28.0, with his best performance being 2/22. These numbers show that Shaheen has been consistent, disciplined, and dangerous with the ball — exactly what Pakistan need in Australia.

There is no doubt that this is a smart decision by Pakistan's selectors. Australia is one of the toughest places to play cricket in the world, and having Shaheen Afridi leading the side as both captain and lead bowler gives Pakistan a real chance. If he can back up his numbers with strong leadership on the field, this could be the beginning of a new and exciting chapter for Pakistan ODI cricket.