The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the national team squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup 2022 to be played in Australia from October 16 onwards. Pakistan has been slotted with India, Bangladesh, South Africa, and 2 qualifiers in Group 2 of the Super 12s round.
Pakistan will begin their tournament with a clash against India on October 23 in MCG, will then play the first qualifier from group B on Oct 27, the second qualifier from group A on Oct 30, South Africa on Nov 3, and Bangladesh on Nov 6.
Babar Azam has been named captain of the side with Shadab Khan being named the vice-captain. Mohammad Rizwan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, and Mohammad Nawaz were retained from the Asia Cup squad. Haider Ali was also named in the main squad, while Shan Masood was the fresh call-up for the ICC event.
Shaheen Afridi and Mohammad Wasim, who missed the Asia Cup due to injuries have also been named, along with Naseem Shah and Mohammad Hasnain in the fast bowling department. Leg-spinner Usman Qadir was also picked in the main squad.
Shaheen, who is undergoing rehabilitation for a knee injury in London and is expected to resume bowling early next month, will join the squad in Brisbane on 15 October.
However, opener Fakhar Zaman was relegated to the reserve players list along with keeper Mohammad Haris and pacer Shahnawaz Dahani.
Chief selector Muhammad Wasim: “We have a team that can perform strongly in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022. That’s why we have shown faith and confidence in almost the same set of players who have been part of the T20I squad post the 2021 World Cup in the UAE.
These players have performed well since November 2021 and that’s why we have won nine out of our last 13 T20Is. We have invested in these cricketers and it is fair to them that they get the opportunity to show their mettle in the World Cup, an event for which they have been preparing and training hard.”
“We are receiving encouraging reports about Shaheen Shah Afridi, who is likely to resume bowling early next month,” he added.
T20 World Cup squad:
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
Reserves: Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris, Shahnawaz Dahani
The PCB also announced the squad for the seven-match T20I series against England as well which will be played in Karachi and Lahore.
The selectors have named all the players who will travel for the World Cup except Fakhar Zaman and Shaheen Shah Afridi. As their replacements, all-rounder Aamir Jamal and spinner Abrar Ahmed have been included in the side.
Pakistan squad for England T20I series:
Babar Azam (C), Shadab Khan (VC), Aamir Jamal, Abrar Ahmed, Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Junior, Naseem Shah, Shahnawaz Dahani, Shan Masood and Usman Qadir
(PCB inputs)
