ENG v PAK 2020: Pakistan hands maiden call-ups to Naseem Shah, Haider Ali for T20I series 

The three-match T20I series begins on August 28 in Manchester.

By Kashish Chadha - 22 Aug, 2020

Pakistan's teenage Test fast bowling sensation, Naseem Shah, has received his maiden white-ball call-up for his country. 

The 17-year-old Naseem, who has played six Tests since his debut in the format last year, has been included in the squad for the T20I series against England. 

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Apart from him, 19-year-old promising batsman Haider Ali has also been given his first nod of approval after doing really well for Pakistan U-19, in first-class cricket and the Pakistan Super League (PSL) last season. 

Babar Azam will continue leading the side, having taken over from Sarfaraz Ahmed on the tour of Australia and since overseen a series win over Bangladesh. 

Sarfaraz, however, is part of the touring squad as a wicketkeeper batsman, with other noticeable inclusions being left-arm quicks Mohammad Amir, who had initially withdrawn his name from the tour due to the birth of his child, and Wahab Riaz, as well as attacking opener Fakhar Zaman. 

Shoaib Malik, the former skipper, arrived in England on August 12. He has been named in the squad and can take part in the on-field action after clearing COVID-19 tests. 

"This is mostly the same team which has been featuring in the shortest format for us. Besides retaining the core, we have inducted youngsters like Haider Ali ... and Naseem Shah as we had an opportunity to keep a bigger pool due to the COVID-19 pandemic," Pakistan head coach Misbah Ul Haq said in a PCB media release.

"Usually, the T20I team comes together for a brief period but due to the current situation most of the players have been here with us for more than a month and it has provided us a good opportunity to work on the development of the team and the young players."

"So, even the players who might not get an opportunity to play will benefit from the experience they are getting here," Misbah added. 

Manchester's Old Trafford ground will host the three T20Is on August 28, 30 and September 1. 

Pakistan's squad for England T20Is: Babar Azam (captain), Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Amir, Naseem Shah, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shoaib Malik and Wahab Riaz.

By Kashish Chadha - 22 Aug, 2020

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