Pakistan identify T20I squad for Afghanistan collection; Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan & different senior gamers rested

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), on Monday, introduced their 15-member squad for the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan, beginning March 25 within the United Arab Emirates.

With a view to handle the workload, the choice committee has determined to relaxation some senior gamers, together with common skipper Babar Azam, wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, quick bowler Shaheen Afridi, top-order batter Fakhar Zaman and pacer Haris Rauf.

“Babar, Fakhar, Haris, Rizwan and Shaheen have been supplied breaks from the quick Sharjah journey to permit them to change off from aggressive cricket in order that they will full their rehabilitations, regroup, recompose and recharge their batteries and be absolutely match for the challenges within the powerful and difficult 2023-24 season,” mentioned PCB chief Najam Sethi in a press assertion.

Within the absence of Babar, star all-rounder Shadab Khan has been picked because the captain for the Sharjah tour. Imad Wasim has been recalled into the T20I outfit, whereas Pakistan Tremendous League (PSL) 2023 performers Saim Ayub and Ihsanullah have obtained their maiden call-ups to the nationwide group.

“I’m not frightened about profitable or shedding to Afghanistan – if we discover few proficient kids, it is going to resolve the aim. The collection is essentially about blooding our new expertise and growing them. Babar will stay our captain in all of the three codecs. I’ve taken all of the senior gamers into confidence and so they all will likely be a part of the group in future, there’s no query about this. Shadab Khan has been the vice-captain and an computerized option to take captaincy in Babar’s absence, so he’ll lead the facet,” added Sethi.

Notably, Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Junior, Naseem Shah and Shan Masood are the one gamers retained from Pakistan’s final T20I task. Additional, the likes of Abrar Ahmed, Haseebullah and Usama Mir have been picked as reserve gamers.

Pakistan squad for T20I collection towards Afghanistan:

Shadab Khan (capt), Abdullah Shafique, Azam Khan (wk), Faheem Ashraf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Ihsanullah, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood, Tayab Tahir, Zaman Khan

Reserve gamers: Abrar Ahmed, Haseebullah and Usama Mir