Pakistan revealed its squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup on Thursday. The team led by Babar Azam resembles the Asia Cup team from recently quite a bit. After Pakistan’s Asia Cup loss to Sri Lanka, many ex-cricketers were rooting for veteran batter Shoaib Malik to be called back.
Shaheen Shah Afridi, a top pacer, has been added to the squad along with Shadab Khan, Babar’s successor. Along with Afridi, Pakistan’s pace bowling lineup includes the likes of Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, and Mohammad Hasnain. In the reserves, Shahnawaz Dahani has been listed.
In a rather surprising move, Fakhar Zaman has been moved to the reserves list after having a dismal Asia Cup. Players who were included are Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Rizwan, Asif Ali, Khushdil Shah, and others in addition to test opener Shan Masood.
A PCB official was quoted, “In the 15-player World Cup squad, top-order batter Shan Masood has been included in the side for the shortest format for the first-time along with fast bowlers Mohammad Wasim Junior and Shaheen Shah Afridi, while Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris and Shahnawaz Dahani have been named as the three traveling reserves.
Wasim Junior has been included after recovering completely from the side strain he suffered during the ACC T20 Asia Cup, whereas Shaheen, who is undergoing rehabilitation for a knee injury in London and expected to resume bowling early next month, will join the squad in Brisbane on 15 October.”
Meanwhile many are not receiving well the squad selection of Pakistan for the T20 World Cup. Ex- Pakistani and a fairly successful left arm pacer Mohammad Amir cracked an amusing tweet commenting on Pakistan squad. He went on to call the chief selector a cheap person for selecting a cheap team.
He tweeted, “chief slector ki cheap selection”
Pakistan Squad for T20 World Cup: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Usman Qadir
Amir comeback