Win Projections to be updated soon
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the 18-player squad for the upcoming T20I series against Ireland and England. The squad will later be reduced to 15 players for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, following the first T20I against England and before the ICC’s deadline on May 24.
The squad includes some notable inclusions and exclusions. Fast bowler Haris Rauf, along with all-rounders Hasan Ali and Salman Ali Agha, have been recalled to the squad. However, wrist spinner Usama Mir and fast bowler Zaman Khan, who were part of the original 17-player squad against New Zealand, did not make the cut.
The Pakistan squad for Ireland and England is as follows:
- Babar Azam (captain)
- Abrar Ahmed
- Azam Khan
- Fakhar Zaman
- Haris Rauf
- Hasan Ali
- Iftikhar Ahmed
- Imad Wasim
- Mohammad Abbas Afridi
- Mohammad Amir
- Mohammad Rizwan
- Muhammad Irfan Khan
- Naseem Shah
- Saim Ayub
- Salman Ali Agha
- Shadab Khan
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
- Usman Khan
Haris Rauf and wicketkeeper/batter Azam Khan were sidelined for the New Zealand T20Is due to injuries, while middle-order batter Muhammad Irfan Khan and wicketkeeper/batter Mohammad Rizwan were rested from the two T20Is in Lahore due to niggles. However, all four players have shown significant improvement in their fitness assessments at the National Cricket Academy, indicating their potential availability for the upcoming matches.
Salman Ali Agha has been praised for his versatility, being proficient in aggressive middle-order batting and off-spin bowling. His inclusion strengthens Pakistan’s spin department alongside other spinners in the squad.
Hasan Ali’s selection is based on his extensive experience, having featured in 50 T20Is and performing well in bilateral series and ICC events. His impressive performance in the HBL Pakistan Super League 2024, where he claimed 14 wickets, further underlines his credentials. Currently representing Warwickshire in the English County Championship, Hasan adds depth to Pakistan’s bowling arsenal.
The squad will depart for Dublin on May 7 following a three-day training camp in Lahore from May 4-6. The schedule of matches includes T20Is against Ireland from May 10-14 and against England from May 22-30.
The men’s national selection committee expressed that crafting this squad was a challenging task due to the outstanding talent available. They emphasized the squad’s robustness, featuring a strong top-order, effective middle-order, versatile all-rounders, a pace battery, and spin prowess.
The committee also acknowledged the disappointment of Usama Mir and Zaman Khan for not being selected, highlighting their quality as cricketers and encouraging them to continue focusing on their cricket for future opportunities.
Pakistan fans are eagerly awaiting the series against Ireland and England, with hopes high for a strong performance from the squad.
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