The nations are unveiling their hidden weapons as the deadline for naming the 15-member T20 World Cup squad approaches. Pakistan unveiled its 15-man roster on Today, and it appears to be a side with all the potential of winning the cup.
The squad was announced through the press conference held by Pakistan Cricket Board which was led by the chief selector. While Babar Azam will captain the team, Shadab Khan will serve as his deputy as in Asia Cup 2022. Shaheen Shah Afridi has finally returned to the team after missing the Asia Cup due to injury. Naseem Shah, who made his T20I debut for Pakistan in the continental cup, has also been named to the World Cup roster.
The three traveling reserves are Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris, and Shahnawaz Dahani. Fakhar Zaman is perhaps the most notable name missing from the 15-man team for the T20 World Cup. The same lineup, excluding Shaheen Afridi and Fakhar Zaman, will face England in a seven-match T20I series.
Fakhar Zaman is perhaps the most notable name missing from the 15-man team for the T20 World Cup.
Chief selector Mohammad Wasim said,
“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 needed to ensure continuity and support to these players, and that’s precisely what we have done. We are receiving encouraging reports about Shaheen Shah Afridi, who is likely to resume bowling early next month.”
Pakistan performed brilliantly in Asia Cup 2022 where the team reached the finals but lost to Srilanka. To prepare for the coming world cup, the team will be squaring off against England in a 7-match T20I series at home.
Pakistan’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
