Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) unveiled the 15-member squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, set to be held in the USA and Caribbean. The announcement, made on Friday, includes notable returns and debut appearances, promising a blend of experience and youth under the leadership of captain Babar Azam.
Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim, who both reversed their retirements earlier this year, have been named in the squad in a significant move. Their inclusion marks their return to the T20 World Cup, with Amir last playing in 2016 and Wasim in 2021. The selection decision came after a comprehensive two-hour meeting involving key members of the selection committee: Abdul Razzaq, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Bilal Afzal, Gary Kirsten, Mohammad Yousuf, and Wahab Riaz.
Extremely talented and balanced side: PCB States after announcing the squad for T20 World Cup
The PCB press release highlighted the squad’s potential and balance. New faces such as Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Saim Ayub, and Usman Khan are set to make their T20 World Cup debuts. These young talents join a core group of eight players who participated in the 2022 tournament in Australia.
“This is an extremely talented and balanced side with a mixture of youth and experience. These players have been playing together for some time and look well-prepared and settled for next month’s event,” the PCB statement read.
A key focus is on Haris Rauf, who has recovered from a shoulder dislocation that sidelined him from the PSL. Although he missed an opportunity to play at Headingley, his form in the nets has been promising. The PCB expressed confidence in his ability to contribute significantly alongside other strike bowlers in the World Cup.
Pakistan Squad for T20 World Cup 2024:
Babar Azam (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan
Pakistan’s preparation includes a four-match T20 series in England, aiming to fine-tune their strategies and team dynamics.
Notably, arch-rivals Pakistan and India are set to face each other in the league stage of the marquee tournament on June 9 at New York’s Nassau County International Cricket Stadium. This highly anticipated clash promises to be thrilling, drawing massive global attention from cricket fans and enthusiasts.
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