Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has named its 18-man squad for the T20 internationals against Ireland and England, with the inclusion of fast bowlers Haris Rauf and Hasan Ali for the upcoming World Cup warm-up matches. The squad announcement follows the appointments of Gary Kirsten and Jason Gillespie as head coaches for the national team, with Azhar Mahmood serving as the assistant coach.
Wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan, Azam Khan, and Muhammad Irfan Khan, who recently recovered from injuries sustained during the New Zealand series, have also been included in the squad. However, wrist spinner Usama Mir and fast bowler Zaman Khan, who played in the recent T20I series against New Zealand, did not make the cut.
The squad will be trimmed to 15 players for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, with the final selection to be announced after the first T20I against England, before the ICC’s May 24 deadline. Selector Wahab Riaz highlighted fitness concerns but expressed optimism about finalizing the World Cup squad during the England tour.
The selection committee, including Wahab Riaz, Mohammad Yousuf, Asad Shafique, and Abdul Razzaq, emphasized the challenging task of crafting the squad amidst exceptional talent. The squad boasts a robust top-order featuring Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, and Rizwan, complemented by a formidable pace-bowling lineup led by Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
The PCB noted Salman Ali Agha’s versatility in bolstering Pakistan’s spin bowling attack alongside Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan. Hasan Ali’s extensive experience and recent performances in domestic and international cricket earned him a spot in the squad.
The team is set to depart for Dublin on May 7 after a three-day training camp in Lahore, with matches against Ireland scheduled for May 10, 12, and 14, followed by fixtures against England from May 22 to 30.
