Pakistan have recalled pacer Hasan Ali in their 18-man squad for the seven T20Is they will play on their tour of Ireland and England. A call-up is also made for Salman Ali Agha, a 30-year-old off-spin alleyrounder who is uncapped in T20I cricket.
The World Cup team will be selected from these 18 players, according to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), and will be revealed following the first Twenty20 international match against England on May 22. May 24 is the ICC deadline for the same.
Squad: Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, and Babar Azam (c).
Azam Khan and Haris Rauf, who recently missed the T20I series against New Zealand, are also back in the squad.
Zaman Khan, a pacer, and wrist spinner Usama Mir had no place in the team.
After his last T20I match for Pakistan in September 2022, Hasan Ali made a strong return to form in the Pakistan Super League. He took 14 wickets in the league, which was on par with Shaheen Afridi and Shadab Khan for the season.
The main reason for including Agha Salman is his ability to spin-bowl on pitches that might be slow in the USA and the Caribbean. He will pair with fellow spinners Abrar Ahmed, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan in the squad.
Mohammad Amir and Wasim, who were called back in the recently-concluded home series against New Zealand, retained their spots and will be keen to put compelling performances in the four T20Is before the squad is pruned down to 15.
“Crafting this squad was a challenging task due to the outstanding talent available. After thorough deliberation and considering various cricketing aspects, we have finalised these 18 players,” the PCB announcement quoted the Men’s National Selection Committee as saying.
“The squad encompasses a robust top-order featuring Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, and Usman Khan; an effective middle-order with Azam Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed and Muhammad Irfan Khan; versatile all-rounders in Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan and Salman Ali Agha; a pace battery led by Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi; and the spin prowess of Abrar Ahmed.
“We recognize that Usama and Zaman are going to be disappointed, and rightfully so, as they must be eager for their upcoming tours of England and Ireland. They are outstanding cricketers and have long careers ahead of them. They need to continue to focus on their cricket so that they are available, if required.”
The team is expected to fly for Dublin on May 7 following a three-day training camp in Lahore from 4-6 May.
