Usama, Zaman, dropped, Amir, Imad retained in team for UK tour

PCB names team for Ireland, England tour, delays naming squad for T20 WC

 

Usama, Zaman, dropped, Amir, Imad retained in team for UK tour

Haris, Hassan, Azam, Rizwan, Irfan, Agha back in team

 

Asher Butt

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board selection committee Thursday named an 18-member national team for the upcoming tours of Ireland and England but delayed the announcement of squad for the ICC T20 World Cup.

Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim, both these cricketers who came out of retirement after assurances from PCB officials of selection in the team for the recently concluded New Zealand series, were also picked for the twin tour despite ordinary performance of the late.

The selection committee comprising Mohammad Younus, Abdul Razzaq, Wahab Riaz and Asad Shafique announced the team in a press conference here at the Gaddafi Stadium.  

Pakistan will be playing a twin series against Ireland from May 10 to 14 and England from May 22 to 30.

Wahab informed that the squad named for the tours will be reduced to 15 players for next month’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 after the first T20I against England on May 22, in order to meet the ICC’s May 24 deadline. The ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 begins on June 1, with Pakistan’s opening match scheduled for June 6.

Notable omissions from the team that played recently New Zealand are wrist spinner Usama Mir and fast bowler Zaman Khan and the two retirees Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim.

The selection committee notably brought back fast bowler Haris Rauf, who missed the New Zealand series. Wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan, who was sidelined due to injury, is also back. Additionally, middle-order batter Muhammad Irfan Khan and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, who were rested during the Lahore T20Is, have rejoined the team after showing significant improvement in their fitness assessments.

Salman Ali Agha, known for his aggressive middle-order batting and off-spin bowling, strengthens Pakistan’s spin department alongside other spinners likes of Abrar Ahmed, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, and Shadab Khan. Hasan Ali's selection is based on his extensive experience, having featured in 50 T20Is and excelled in bilateral series and ICC events. His impressive performance in the HBL Pakistan Super League 2024 further underlined his credentials. Currently representing Warwickshire in the English County Championship, Hasan adds depth to Pakistan’s bowling arsenal.

Wahab said that Pakistan’s squad features a robust mix of top-order batsmen, middle-order players, versatile all-rounders, and a formidable bowling attack. “The selectors faced a challenging task due to the abundance of talent available, but they have crafted a well-balanced team for the upcoming series and the World Cup,” added the selection committee.

The men’s national selection committee faced a challenging task in crafting the squad due to the outstanding talent available. The final selection aims to balance the squad across various cricketing aspects, encompassing a robust top-order, effective middle-order, versatile all-rounders, a potent pace battery, and spin prowess, they said.

"Hasan was already in our plans for T20I World Cup 2024. He was playing county cricket as he was under contract," PCB selector Wahab Riaz said, addressing a press conference in Lahore on Thursday.

Riaz further revealed that the 29-year-old will be Haris Rauf's backup in the upcoming fixtures.

Continuing on the pacer's future, Riaz said: "If [Haris] Rauf gets fit before the England series then he will be our first choice. If we feel Rauf is not fit for the match, then Hasan will replace him.

“We also acknowledged the disappointment for Usama Mir and Zaman Khan and encouraged them to continue focusing on their cricket for future opportunities,” said Wahab.

The tour of Ireland and England presents a crucial opportunity for Pakistan to fine-tune their squad ahead of the T20 World Cup, with the selected players aiming to make significant contributions in the upcoming series.

The team is scheduled to depart for Dublin on 7 May following a three-day training camp in Lahore from 4-6 May.

The Squad: Babar Azam (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Usman Khan.

Schedule of matches:

May 10 – v Ireland, 1st T20I, Dublin

May 12 – v Ireland, 2nd T20, Dublin

May 14 – v Ireland, 3rd T20I, Dublin

May 22 – v England, 1st T20I, Leeds

May 25 – v England, 2nd T20I, Birmingham

May 28 – v England 3rd T20I, Cardiff

May 30 – v England, 4th T20I, The Oval