Pakistan selectors have made some changes to the T20 squad for the upcoming matches in Ireland and England by recalling fast bowlers Haris Rauf and Hasan Ali. The selectors also included injured players Mohammad Rizwan, Azam Khan, and Muhammad Irfan Khan in the 18-man squad. However, the final 15-man squad for the T20 World Cup in the United States and West Indies has not been finalized yet.
Selector Wahab Riaz mentioned that there are still fitness issues with some players, but they hope to finalize the World Cup squad during the England tour. All 20 World Cup teams had to submit their preliminary squads by May 1st, with changes allowed until May 25th. Haris Rauf, who had been out due to a shoulder injury, is expected to be match fit by the time they face England, while Hasan Ali has been included as a back-up in the squad.
All-rounder Agha Salman is also set to make his T20 debut after being included in the squad. Pakistan is scheduled to play Ireland in Dublin on May 10, 12, and 14, followed by four matches against England in Leeds, Birmingham, Cardiff, and London. The squad for the matches includes Babar Azam as captain, along with other key players like Fakhar Zaman, Imad Wasim, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
The inclusion of Haris Rauf and Hasan Ali in the T20 squad shows Pakistan’s focus on strengthening their fast-bowling department ahead of the World Cup. Both players have the ability to provide speed and accuracy in the bowling attack, which will be crucial in the English conditions. Additionally, the return of injured players like Mohammad Rizwan will bolster the team’s batting depth and wicketkeeping options.
The selectors will be closely monitoring the performance of the players during the upcoming matches in Ireland and England to finalize the World Cup squad. The inclusion of Agha Salman provides another spinning all-rounder option for the team, adding versatility to the squad. With a mix of experienced players like Mohammad Amir and young talents like Naseem Shah, Pakistan will look to build a balanced squad for the World Cup campaign.
The upcoming series against Ireland and England will serve as crucial preparation for Pakistan as they aim to fine-tune their combination and strategy ahead of the T20 World Cup. The matches will also provide an opportunity for players like Azam Khan and Abbas Afridi to showcase their skills and stake a claim for a spot in the final squad. Overall, Pakistan’s squad looks well-equipped with a blend of experience and youth, setting the stage for an exciting campaign in the upcoming tournaments.
