The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), on May 2, 2024, revealed the Men in Green squad for the upcoming T20Is against Ireland and England, starting on May 10. And in good news for Pakistan fans, fiery pacer Haris Rauf has been included as he returns from injury.
The squad will be reduced to 15 players for next month’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 after the first T20I at Leeds on 22 May to meet the ICC’s 24 May deadline.
Pakistan is scheduled to play three T20Is against Ireland and four against England ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024. Babar Azam will lead the side after being reinstated as captain ahead of the five-match T20I series at home against New Zealand, which ended in a 2-2 stalemate after the first game was washed out.
Usama Mir and fast bowler Zaman Khan missed out from the original 17-player squad that faced New Zealand.
Haris Rauf suffered a shoulder injury during the PSL 2024 and has been in recovery and rehab since then. Apart from him, all-rounders Hasan Ali and Salman Ali Agha were also recalled in the Pakistan squad.
As per PCB release, Haris Rauf and wicketkeeper/batter Azam Khan missed the New Zealand series due to injuries, while Muhammad Irfan Khan and wicketkeeper/batter Mohammad Rizwan were rested from the two T20Is in Lahore due to niggles.
On Tuesday afternoon, the four players had fitness examinations at the National Cricket Academy, and their results showed substantial progress. This progress has given the PCB Medical Panel and team management comfort and optimism in their likely availability for the seven T20Is.
“The squad encompasses a robust top-order featuring Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, and Usman Khan; an effective middle-order with Azam Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Muhammad Irfan Khan; versatile all-rounders in Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, and Salman Ali Agha; a pace battery led by Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, and Shaheen Shah Afridi; and the spin prowess of Abrar Ahmed.
We understand Usama and Zaman will be disappointed and they should be as they must be looking ahead to the tours of Ireland and England. They are quality cricketers and have long careers ahead of them. They need to continue to focus on their cricket so that they are available if required,” PCB statement read.
Pakistan squad for Ireland and England T20Is:
Babar Azam (C), 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:
Ireland series:
May 10: First T20I, Dublin
May 12 Second T20I, Dublin
May 14: Third T20I, Dublin
England series:
May 22: First T20I, Leeds
May 25: Second T20I, Birmingham
May 28: Third T20I, Cardiff
May 30: Fourth T20I, London
(PCB inputs)
