New Delhi [India], January 23 (ANI): Pakistan have announced their 16-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series at home against Australia, which starts January 29. The team will see the return of the experienced duo of Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi in the T20I setup, according to the ICC's website.

Babar and Shaheen had missed Pakistan's T20I series in Sri Lanka earlier in January, while featuring in the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26 season.

Shadab Khan is set to boost Pakistan's spin bowling unit, which also includes Abrar Ahmed, Mohammad Nawaz and Usman Tariq.

Pakistan and Australia will face off in three T20Is. The series opener will be played on January 29, with the second match set to be played on January 31 and the third match set for February 1. All three matches will be played at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium.

The three-match series will serve as crucial preparation for both Australia and Pakistan ahead of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup, which starts on February 7 in India and Sri Lanka.

In the World Cup, Pakistan are in Group A alongside the USA, Namibia, the Netherlands and co-hosts India. Meanwhile, Australia are part of Group B with Sri Lanka, Ireland, Oman and Zimbabwe.

Pakistan faced Sri Lanka in three T20Is earlier in the month. The series was drawn, with Pakistan and Sri Lanka each winning one match, and one match abandoned due to rain. Prior to the Sri Lanka series, Pakistan played a home T20I tri-series that saw Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe and Pakistan compete. Pakistan won the T20I tri-series.

Pakistan T20I squad for T20Is against Australia: Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Khawaja Mohammad Nafay, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Salman Mirza, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan and Usman Tariq. (ANI)