Hunain Shah Emerges as Surprise Pick for Australia ODIs

Pakistan’s selectors are entering the final phase of discussions before naming the squad for the upcoming Pakistan vs Australia ODI series, and a few names are already creating noise across the cricket scene.

Hunain Shah sits right in the middle of it.

The young fast bowler, who impressed heavily during PSL 11, is expected to receive his first ODI call-up after a breakout campaign with Hyderabad Kingsmen. He grabbed 17 wickets in 10 matches and consistently troubled batters during pressure overs. That sharp spell against Lahore still has fans talking.

Sources close to the selection process say former captain Babar Azam is likely to return for the home series, which begins in Rawalpindi on May 30 before shifting to Lahore for matches on June 2 and June 4. The management also appears ready to bring back Fakhar Zaman and spinner Sufiyan Muqeem as Pakistan search for balance ahead of a demanding white-ball calendar.

Hunain Shah Pushes Into National Team Picture

The biggest discussion surrounds Hunain Shah. His pace, confidence and ability to strike in the middle overs have pushed him ahead of several experienced names. That one strong PSL stretch changed the conversation completely.

Inside the camp, selectors are weighing combinations carefully. Mohammad Rizwan’s role remains under discussion, while Faheem Ashraf and Hussain Talat may struggle to hold onto their places in the ODI side.

The mood around the squad feels different now. You could sense it after the Bangladesh series ended. Pakistan looked eager for fresh energy.

The Pakistan squad for Australia ODIs is expected to feature a mix of experience and aggressive youth. Coaches at the National Cricket Academy have already begun intensive sessions with a 28-player pool assembled for the series. Practice matches are also planned before the squad settles into Rawalpindi later this week.

Australia will land in Islamabad on May 23, while Pakistan’s training camp begins a day earlier.

That buildup matters. The atmosphere around this contest is already heating up.

Fans especially want to see how the reshaped batting order responds against Australia’s attack. Gasps echoed around social media after Hunain’s possible inclusion surfaced online. Some backed the move immediately.  Still, the selectors appear ready to gamble on form.

Now, the Pakistan squad for Australia ODIs feels far more unpredictable than anyone expected.