Pakistan announces T20 squad for Bangladesh series

LAHORE: Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the T20 squad for the home series against Bangladesh in Lahore being held later his month.

Veteran players Muhammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik will make a come-back in the side. Both all-rounders were the surprise inclusions in the squad.

Meanwhile, Melbourne Stars pacer Haris Rauf was also rewarded for his rich vein of form in the Big Bash League. Pacer Shaheen Shah Afridi and leg-spinner Usman Qadir have also been included.

They have replaced seven players who were part of the 16-player squad that lost 2-0 to Australia in November. Players missing out on selection are Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Imam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Irfan and Wahab Riaz. 

Pakistan squad for Bangladesh T20Is named

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Addressing the press conference, chief Selector and head coach, Misbah-ul-Haq said, “We have lost eight of our last nine T20Is and as the number-one ranked side, this is unacceptable. We need to end our losing cycle and get back to winning habits leading into the upcoming Asia Cup and ICC T20 World Cup. This has played a critical role in our decision-making.

“We tried our alternate combinations in the series against Sri Lanka and Australia, and obviously, these didn’t work the way we had expected. Hafeez and Shoaib bring a total of 200 T20Is between them and if you mix these with the other youngsters we have in the side, then I think it becomes a good blend of experience and youth.

“The seven players who have missed out on selection are by no means out of our planning but considering their recent form in international cricket and taking into account other strong performances in our National T20 Cup, we have decided to make these changes.

“The high-pressure and quality HBL Pakistan Super League 2020 is starting in four weeks’ time and if they can reclaim their winning form, then they will be back in contention for the upcoming assignments, including the Asia Cup and ICC Men’s T20 World Cup.

“The matches against Bangladesh are part of our preparation, finding the right combination and building for the two major tournaments. The return of Mohammad Hafeez, Shoaib Malik and Shaheen Afridi gives us the experience and depth, while the exuberance of Ahsan Ali, Amad Butt and Haris Rauf gives the team more firepower, energy and all-round skill.

He said the three players have been rewarded for their performances in the National T20 Cup as the PCB remains committed to domestic cricket by providing opportunities to high-performing players.

Pakistan captain Babar Azam expressed satisfaction with the happy with the selected squad and thanked the selection committee for including Hafeez and Shoaib Malik.

“I believe they still have plenty to offer to Pakistan cricket in the shortest format and their experience can be critical to our performances in the upcoming series.

“Ahsan, Amad and Haris have recently shown promise and talent, and I think it is the right time to throw them at the deep end to check their ability to perform at an international level. I am sure home crowd and conditions will complement their talent and they will be able to justify their selections,” he said.