With the T20 World Cup just a few days away, here are all the latest and live updates from the Pakistan squad announcement, including reports, speculation and more.
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The 2024 T20 World Cup is set to be played in the USA and the West Indies in June, with the deadline to submit the final squads being May 25. The competition will begin on June 2 with hosts United States taking on Canada.
Pakistan T20 World Cup squad announcement: Live updates
May 24 – Squad announced
The PCB announced the squad for the T20 World Cup after a two-hour meeting on Friday (May 24). They have not named any reserves for the tournament, nor have they named a vice-captan.
Pakistan’s squad: 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
“This is an extremely talented and balanced side that has a mixture of youth and experience,” a statement from PCB said. “These players have been playing together for some time and look well prepared and settled for next month’s event.
“This is an extremely talented and balanced side that has a mixture of youth and experience”.
When will Pakistan announce their T20 World Cup squad?
Pakistan are the only team that are yet to announce their squad for the event. With the deadline to submit a list of players headed for the T20 World Cup on Saturday, Pakistan’s selection group has assembled to discuss the 15 members who will fly for the tournament.
Glimpses of the team meeting with Pakistan white-ball head coach Gary Kirsten in Leeds 🎥#ENGvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/cjYWi6Qo9z
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 20, 2024
PCB chairman displeased with the conduct of the selection panel – reports
According to reports, the PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi stopped the announcement of the T20 World Cup squad after being unhappy with the process of selection. He expressed his displeasure at the fact that proper meetings were not held before the announcement. The squad is likely to be announced once the selection processes are completed.
Mohammad Rizwan to be the vice-captain of the squad?
Babar was reinstated as Pakistan’s T20I skipper, taking over from Shaheen Afridi after just one series against New Zealand. Pakistan named an 18-member squad for the T20I series against Ireland and England but fell short of revealing the vice-captain. It has been reported that Rizwan could be the deputy. Shadab Khan has previously filled the role.
Who will open the batting?
Babar confirmed that he would not be opening in the T20I series against England, leaving either Rizwan to open with Saim Ayub or push Fakhar Zaman up the order alongside the youngster. Zaman is an attacking batter and reports suggest he could be pushed to open.
Veterans Imad Wasim and Mohammad Amir set to return
Wasim and Amir, who had announced their international retirements, have made themselves available to play for Pakistan in the T20 World Cup again and are expected to make the final 15. Wasim last played the T20 World Cup in 2022 while Amir last played in 2016. Along with the duo, Haris Rauf is also set to be selected after regaining his fitness. Hasan Ali, who was picked as a backup to the squad for the England T20Is, has been released.
