Babar Azam was Thursday recalled to Pakistan's Twenty20 international squad for two home series, nearly a year after the batsman was axed.

Hardik Pandya missed out due to a niggle as India opted to field in the final of the Asia Cup against Pakistan in Dubai on Sunday. 

Pakistan laid down a marker ahead of the Asia Cup as Mohammad Nawaz took a hat-trick in a 75-run win over Afghanistan in their tri-series final in Sharjah on Sunday.

Skipper Salman Agha hit an unbeaten half century and fast bowler Haris Rauf grabbed four wickets as Pakistan upstaged Afghanistan by 39 runs in the tri-series opener in Sharjah on Friday.

There was no place for senior batsman Babar Azam in the T20 side while Rizwan was also left out of a young squad as Pakistan look ahead to the T20 Asia Cup in September and next year's T20 World Cup.