Cricket excitement is building across the country as Pakistan prepares to host Australia for a highly anticipated three-match ODI series, with the PCB unveiling a refreshed squad and ticket sales officially opening today, igniting fan interest nationwide.
The series, set to be played from 30 May to 4 June in Rawalpindi and Lahore, brings together returning stars, new faces, and a renewed sense of anticipation as both teams gear up for a competitive white-ball contest.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming three-match ODI series against Australia.
The national selection committee confirmed that Shaheen Shah Afridi will lead the side as captain, with Salman Ali Agha named vice-captain.
The squad features the return of senior batter Babar Azam along with pace duo Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah, both recalled after missing the previous series against Bangladesh. However, Mohammad Rizwan has been left out, with wicketkeeping responsibilities assigned to Muhammad Ghazi Ghori and uncapped Rohail Nazir.
🚨 Pakistan's 16-member squad announced for Australia ODI series 🏏
Read more ➡️ https://t.co/t5o3BJK1x8#TakraarKaTime | #PAKvAUS | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/lH5GDN7D6y— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 22, 2026
Among the fresh inclusions, the squad also features three uncapped players Rohail Nazir, Ahmed Daniyal, and Arafat Minhas reflecting PCB’s continued push to test emerging talent. Meanwhile, Fakhar Zaman and Saim Ayub remain unavailable due to injuries and are undergoing rehabilitation under the PCB medical panel.
The squad will assemble in Islamabad later tonight, with training sessions scheduled to begin under the coaching staff from 23 May. Australia’s team is also expected to arrive on the same day ahead of their preparations for the series.
Tickets now available
In a parallel development, ticket sales for the ODI series have officially gone live from 3pm today.
Fans can purchase tickets online via pcb.tcs.com.pk, while physical tickets are also available at 16 Courier Express Centres across Lahore, Rawalpindi, and Islamabad.
To ensure wider accessibility, ticket prices start from Rs200, aiming to encourage strong crowd turnout for the series.
