Sun Nov 03 10:44:29 UTC 2024: ## Babar Azam Returns to Pakistan Squad for Australia Tour Despite Resignation
**Melbourne, Australia** – Former captain Babar Azam will lead Pakistan’s batting line-up in the upcoming limited-overs tour of Australia, despite having recently resigned as white-ball captain. Azam, along with Shaheen Shah Afridi, were included in the squad announced on Sunday, marking their return after being dropped from the last two Test matches against England.
However, both players will be rested for the limited-overs series in Zimbabwe later this month.
Azam’s return comes just days after Mohammad Rizwan was named as his successor as captain for the white-ball format. The 30-year-old initially resigned in October after Pakistan’s disappointing first-round exits from the ODI World Cup and T20I World Cup.
The Australia tour will begin with three ODIs in Melbourne, Adelaide, and Perth, followed by three T20Is in Brisbane, Sydney, and Hobart.
The squads for the tour feature several debutants, including all-rounders Aamer Jamal and Arafat Minhas, spinner Faisal Akram, wicketkeeper batsman Haseebullah, and batsmen Irfan Khan and Saim Ayub for the ODI series. Meanwhile, all-rounders Jahandad Khan and Salman Agha will make their T20I debuts.
Pakistan will be hoping for a successful tour, with the team looking to rebuild after their recent struggles. The inclusion of Babar Azam and Shaheen Shah Afridi, despite their recent captaincy drama, will surely be a boost for the team’s confidence.
First Piper 