PCB announces 18-member squad for England, Ireland series
The series against Ireland will be played from May 10-14, T20Is against England will be played from May 22-30.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the national side’s 18-member squad for the upcoming England and Ireland series ahead of the T20I World Cup 2024.
The national side, after undergoing a three-day training camp in Lahore from May 4 to 6, is set to depart for Dublin, Ireland on May 7.
Surprisingly, the selection committee has recalled fast bowler Haris Rauf, along with all-rounders Hasan Ali and Salman Ali Agha to the squad.
Meanwhile, wicket-keeper batter Mohammad Rizwan and middle-order batter Muhammad Irfan have also been named in the squad after they were rested in two matches in the home series against New Zealand.
“The four cricketers underwent fitness assessments at the National Cricket Academy on Tuesday afternoon, showing significant improvement. This progress has provided confidence and encouragement to the PCB Medical Panel and the team management regarding their potential availability during the seven T20Is,” the board said.
Fast bowler Zaman Khan and spinner Usama Mir, who were part of the series against the Black Caps, failed to make it to the squad.
“We understand Usama and Zaman will be disappointed […] They are quality cricketers and have long careers ahead of them. They need to continue to focus on their cricket so that they are available if required,” PCB’s press release read quoting the selection committee.
“The squad will be reduced to 15 players for next month’s ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 after the first T20I at Leeds on May 22 to meet the ICC’s 24 May deadline,” the PCB said in a statement issued on Thursday.
Pakistan squad for Ireland and England & Wales series
Babar Azam (captain), 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.
Schedule of Series:
Ireland series:
May 10 – v Ireland, 1st T20I, Dublin
May 12 – v Ireland, 2nd T20, Dublin
May 14 – v Ireland, 3rd T20I, Dublin
England series:
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
