Pakistan’s senior national selectors have chosen Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Shadab Khan for the preliminary 20-player squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has submitted the squad to the International Cricket Council (ICC), which will be trimmed to 15 by head coach Mike Hesson soon.
Most participating nations have revealed their squads for the T20 World Cup, set to be co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka from February 7. The tournament’s tenth edition will run from February 7 to March 8, with Pakistan scheduled to play in Sri Lanka.
Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Shadab Khan are part of the squad, while Mohammad Rizwan has been left out. Usman Khan is likely to be the designated wicketkeeper, and Shaheen is anticipated to recover from a knee injury in the next two weeks, as per sources.
Babar Azam’s recent good form, including two fifties in the Big Bash League, has worked in his favor for selection. Despite an injury during the BBL, Shaheen Shah Afridi has also made the cut. The squad features five spinners, with Shadab, Mohammad Nawaz, Abrar Ahmed, Usman Tariq, and Maaz Sadaqat included.
The PCB’s selection committee now comprises Aqib Javed, Aameen Dar, and Asad, with no chief selector. Azhar Ali’s resignation has reduced the committee to three members.
