Pakistan announces squad for England, Ireland T20I series
LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced its 18-player squad for the upcoming T20I series against Ireland (10-14 May) and England (22-30 May).
The squad will be reduced to 15 players for next month’s ICC T20 World Cup 2024 after the first T20I at Leeds on 22 May to meet the ICC’s 24 May deadline.
The national selection committee has recalled fast bowler Haris Rauf, along with all-rounders Hasan Ali and Salman Ali Agha in the squad. The two cricketers who did not make the cut from the original 17-player squad that faced New Zealand are wrist spinner Usama Mir and fast bowler Zaman 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.
The four cricketers underwent fitness assessments at the National Cricket Academy on Tuesday afternoon, showing significant improvement. This progress has provided confidence and encouragement to the PCB Medical Panel and the team management regarding their potential availability during the seven T20Is.
The PCB said Salman Ali Agha has established himself as a versatile cricketer, proficient in aggressive middle-order batting and off-spin bowling. His inclusion bolsters Pakistan’s spin department alongside Abrar Ahmed, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan.
Hasan Ali’s selection is attributed to his extensive experience, having featured in 50 T20Is and excelling in bilateral series and ICC Events. His impressive performance in the HBL Pakistan Super League 2024, where he claimed 14 wickets, further underlined his credentials. Currently representing Warwickshire in the English County Championship, Hasan adds depth to Pakistan’s bowling arsenal.
Pakistan squad
- 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
Schedule
- 10 May – v Ireland, 1st T20I, Dublin
- 12 May – v Ireland, 2nd T20, Dublin
- 14 May – v Ireland, 3rd T20I, Dublin
- 22 May – v England, 1st T20I, Leeds
- 25 May – v England, 2nd T20I, Birmingham
- 28 May – v England 3rd T20I, Cardiff
- 30 May – v England, 4th T20I, The Oval