Pakistan announces T20I squad for Bangladesh tour; no place for Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheed Afridi

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), on Tuesday, unveiled a 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh. The squad, set to be led once again by Salman Ali Agha, notably omits key stalwarts Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi, reaffirming the new coaching management’s focus on workload management and nurturing a broader talent pool. The highly anticipated series is scheduled to take place from July 20 to 24, with all three encounters hosted at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka.

Pakistan men’s selection committee makes strategic omissions in the T20I squad

The decision to drop players Babar, Rizwan and Afridi from the T20I format is a bold statement from newly-appointed head coach Mike Hesson. Hesson has reportedly communicated directly with the trio, advising them to channel their energies and preparation towards the more demanding formats of One-Day Internationals and Test cricket. This directive underscores a clear strategy of providing ample opportunities for emerging talents to gain international exposure in the shortest format.

This isn’t an isolated incident for the senior players. Babar, a cornerstone of Pakistan’s batting, was previously overlooked for T20I series in Australia, Zimbabwe and South Africa, indicating a long-term vision rather than a sudden change. Similarly, all three players were absent from Pakistan’s last two T20I engagements against New Zealand and Bangladesh. This consistent pattern highlights a deliberate effort by the selectors and coaching staff to broaden the national team’s talent base, ensuring that Pakistan possesses a strong bench strength capable of performing at the highest level across all formats.

A blend of experience and youth in Pakistan’s T20I squad for Bangladesh tour

The 15-member squad for the Bangladesh series presents an intriguing mix of seasoned T20 specialists and promising youngsters, all vying to make their mark on the international stage. Salman Agha retains the captaincy, a testament to his leadership qualities and consistent performances. The batting lineup features the explosive Fakhar Zaman, who brings a wealth of experience, alongside dynamic young openers like Saim Ayub and Hassan Nawaz, known for their aggressive approach. Khushdil Shah,Sahibzada Farhan and Hussain Talat add depth to the middle order, offering power-hitting and all-round capabilities.

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Behind the stumps, Mohammad Haris will fullfil the wicketkeeping duties. The spin department looks robust with the inclusion of mystery spinner Abrar Ahmed, the experienced all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz, and the promising Sufyan Moqim, ensuring variety and control in the middle overs. The pace attack will be spearheaded by Faheem Ashraf, who can also contribute with the bat, supported by the likes of Ahmed Daniyal and Mohammad Abbas Afridi. This squad composition suggests an emphasis on aggressive, fearless cricket, with a focus on players who can adapt quickly to different match situations.

Pakistan’s T20I squad: 

Salman Ali Agha (c), Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Sufyan Moqim

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