By Pakistan has named their 18-man squad for the upcoming T20I series against Ireland and England, with Hasan Ali making a return to the team. Also included in the squad is Salman Ali Agha, a 30-year-old offspinning allrounder who is yet to be capped in the T20I format.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) stated that the World Cup squad will be selected from these 18 players and will be announced after the first T20I against England on May 22, with the ICC deadline for the same being May 24.
The squad includes Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Usman Khan. Haris Rauf and Azam Khan, who missed the recent T20I series against New Zealand, are also back in the squad.
Notably, wrist spinner Usama Mir and pacer Zaman Khan did not find a place in the squad. Hasan Ali’s inclusion comes on the back of impressive performances in the Pakistan Super League, where he picked up 14 wickets, matching the performances of Shadab Khan and Shaheen Afridi in the season.
Hasan Ali back in action for T2OI Series against Ireland and England
Agha Salman’s selection is based on his spin-bowling abilities, which could be crucial on slower pitches in the Caribbean and the USA. He will join fellow spinners Abrar Ahmed, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, and Shadab Khan in the squad.
The squad also includes Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim, who were recalled for the recent home series against New Zealand and have retained their spots. They will be aiming to deliver strong performances in the four T20Is before the squad is trimmed down to 15.
The Men’s National Selection Committee expressed the challenges faced in crafting the squad due to the exceptional talent available. They highlighted the squad’s robust top-order, effective middle-order, versatile all-rounders, and a pace battery led by Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, and Shaheen Shah Afridi, along with the spin prowess of Abrar Ahmed.
The team is scheduled to depart for Dublin on May 7 following a three-day training camp in Lahore from May 4-6.
