Pakistan’s Squad for Ireland and England T20I Series

Pakistan’s Squad for Ireland and England T20I Series

Pakistan has announced its 18-member squad for the upcoming T20I series against Ireland and England, and it’s a fascinating mix of seasoned veterans and promising young talent. Led by the in-form Babar Azam, the squad includes a range of players with varying skill sets and strengths.

Pakistan’s T20I Squad: A Blend of Experience and Youth

Pakistan’s squad for Ireland and England T20I series:

1. Babar Azam (captain) the renowned cricketer, has had a notable captaincy career, being reappointed as white-ball captain in March 2024. He was first appointed as captain ahead of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 and has since led Pakistan to impressive victories. Under his leadership, the team reached the final of the T20 World Cup in Australia in 2022. Babar Azam holds the record for the most successful T20I captain with 45 victories in 78 matches and has made the most appearances as captain in T20Is with 78 matches.
2. Abrar Ahmed 25-year-old Pakistani leg-spinner, has made a remarkable impact in cricket. He took a 5-wicket haul on Test debut against England, a first for Pakistan, and was later selected for the 2024 T20 World Cup squad. His impressive skills also earned him a contract with the San Francisco Unicorns in the MLC. Abrar’s rapid rise showcases his talent, hard work, and dedication, making him a promising prospect for Pakistan cricket.
3. Azam Khan 25-year-old Pakistani cricketer, has impressed in various formats as a wicket-keeper batter. Born in Karachi, he has represented Pakistan in T20Is and ODIs, showcasing his skills and earning a spot in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) and other international leagues, solidifying his promise as a young player.
4. Fakhar Zaman, a dynamic Pakistani batsman, is renowned for his aggressive style and exceptional strokeplay. Born on April 10, 1990, in Mardan, he has scored centuries in all formats and holds the record for the highest individual ODI score (210*). He is widely regarded as one of the most feared batsmen in the cricket world.
5. Haris Rauf a Pakistani fast bowler born November 23, 1993, is renowned for his pace and accuracy. He has represented Pakistan in T20Is and ODIs and played in various leagues, including the PSL and IPL, earning a reputation as a promising young bowler.
6. Iftikhar Ahmed a Pakistani batsman and spin bowler, born on September 3, 1990, is known for his aggressive batting and match-winning innings. He has represented Pakistan in all formats and has been a valuable asset in the PSL and other leagues.
7. Imad Wasim a Pakistani spin bowler and batsman, born on December 18, 1988, is known for his clever bowling and solid batting. He has represented Pakistan in all formats and has been a key player in the PSL and other leagues.
8. Mohammad Abbas Afridi a young Pakistani cricketer, born April 5, 2001, made his international debut in 2024. He’s a batsman and spin bowler and nephew of Umar Gul. Abbas was the leading wicket-taker in the 2020 Under-19 Cricket World Cup, representing Multan Sultans in the PSL and Pakistan in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
9. Mohammad Amir a skilled Pakistani fast bowler, has taken 259 international wickets. He initially retired in 2020 but reversed his decision in 2024. Amir was part of Pakistan’s winning teams in the 2009 T20 World Cup and 2017 Champions Trophy and is known for bowling maiden overs in T20 World Cups.
10. Mohammad Rizwan a talented Pakistani cricketer, is a right-handed batter and wicketkeeper. He set a T20I record for Pakistan, scored a maiden Test hundred, and was named in the squad for the 2021 and 2024 T20 World Cups. Rizwan is the captain of the Multan Sultans and holds a Category A contract with the PCB.
11. Muhammad Irfan Khan a young Pakistani cricketer, born December 28, 2002, is a right-handed batsman and medium-fast bowler. He debuted in List A and T20 cricket in 2020, played in the 2022 Under-19 World Cup, and was selected for Pakistan’s T20I series against New Zealand in 2024, showcasing his rapid rise in cricket.
12. Naseem Shah a talented Pakistani cricketer, born February 15, 2003, is a right-handed batsman and fast-medium bowler. He took a Test hat trick against Bangladesh in 2020 and reached 100 international wickets in 2024 against New Zealand, showcasing his potential despite health issues.
13. Saim Ayub a left-handed batsman is a rising Pakistani cricketer. Born on May 24, 2002, he debuted in T20Is against Afghanistan in 2023 and made his Test debut against Australia in 2024, showing promise for a bright future in cricket.
14. Shadab Khan a talented Pakistani cricketer, born October 4, 1998, is a leg-spin bowler and aggressive batsman who debuted in 2017. He took a T20I hat-trick against West Indies and led Pakistan to victory against England in 2022 as captain, showcasing his skill and leadership.
15. Shaheen Shah Afridi a left-arm fast bowler born on April 6, 2000, has quickly become one of the world’s top bowlers, known for his pace and swing. He took 5 wickets in his Test debut and 6 in his ODI debut, earning him the ICC Men’s Cricketer of the Year award in 2021.
16. Usman Khan born May 10, 1995, is a Pakistani cricketer who debuted against New Zealand in 2024. A right-handed batter, he has played for various teams, scoring a century in his debut match against Khulna Tigers, and was selected for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.

Key Players to Watch in Pakistan Squad:

1. Babar Azam (captain): The run machine and captain of the team, Babar Azam is in scintillating form and will be the linchpin of Pakistan’s batting.
2. Shaheen Shah Afridi: The left-arm pacer has been a revelation in recent times, and his ability to swing the ball at high speed makes him a formidable opponent.
3. Mohammad Rizwan: The wicketkeeper-batsman has been in excellent form, and his ability to score quickly and keep wickets makes him a vital cog in the team.
4. Shadab Khan: The leg-spinner has been a consistent performer for Pakistan, and his ability to choke the opposition’s run rate makes him a valuable asset.
5. Haris Rauf: The right-arm pacer has been a revelation in recent times, and his ability to bowl yorkers at will makes him a dangerous opponent.

Key Squad Inclusions and Exclusions:

• Fast bowler Haris Rauf, along with all-rounders Hasan Ali and Salman Ali Agha, have been recalled to the squad.
• Notably, wrist spinner Usama Mir and fast bowler Zaman Khan did not cut the original 17-player squad that faced New Zealand.

Player Updates:

• Haris Rauf and wicketkeeper/batter Azam Khan, who missed the New Zealand T20Is due to injuries, are back in the squad.
• Middle-order batter Muhammad Irfan Khan and wicketkeeper/batter Mohammad Rizwan, who were rested for the New Zealand series, have also been included.
• All four players underwent fitness assessments, showing significant improvement and raising hopes for their availability during the upcoming series.

Young Guns to Keep an Eye On:

1. Saim Ayub: The 20-year-old opener has been making waves in domestic cricket, and his aggressive style of play makes him an exciting prospect.
2. Azam Khan: The 23-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman has been impressive in his limited opportunities, and his ability to score quickly makes him a valuable asset.
3. Naseem Shah: The 19-year-old pacer has already made a name for himself in international cricket, and his ability to bowl at high speed makes him a formidable opponent.

Insights from the Selection Committee:

• The selection committee faced a challenging task due to the exceptional talent available but finalized the 18 players after thorough deliberation.
• The squad boasts a strong top-order, an effective middle-order, versatile all-rounders, a potent pace battery, and spin prowess.
• Usama Mir and Zaman Khan, though left out, are encouraged to focus on their cricket for future selections, given their quality and potential.

Strengths and Weaknesses:

Pakistan’s squad has a good balance of experience and youth, and their strengths lie in their batting and bowling departments. However, their fielding has been a concern in recent times, and they will need to improve in this area to succeed.

Schedule of Matches:

10 May – v Ireland, 1^st T20I, Dublin

12 May – v Ireland, 2^nd T20, Dublin

14 May – v Ireland, 3^rd T20I, Dublin

22 May – v England, 1^st T20I, Leeds

25 May – v England, 2^nd T20I, Birmingham

28 May – v England 3^rd T20I, Cardiff

30 May – v England, 4^th T20I, The Oval

Pakistan’s squad for the Ireland and England T20I series is a well-balanced mix of experience and youth, and they have the potential to succeed in the series. With key players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Mohammad Rizwan in good form, Pakistan will be a formidable opponent for both Ireland and England.