Babar Azam did not get a place in the Pakistan team. Even fast bowler Shaheen Afridi will not be playing as well. Shadab Khan however got the captaincy crown for the T20 series against Afghanistan. Moreover, here are several new faces in the 18-man squad.
Pakistan however, will play a three-match T20I series against Afghanistan from March 25 to March 29 in Sharjah. The Pakistan Cricket Board henceforth, announced the 18-member squad including reserves for this series on Monday. Pakistan Super League performance however got utmost importance during team selection. Babar and Shaheen could not get manage a spot for the series against Rashid Khan’s Afghanistan. Two senior cricketers got rests. Henceforth, many new faces got chances this time. Pakistan Cricket Board also wants to give opportunities to young cricketers in T20 cricket this time.
Pakistan Cricket Board rested seniors like Babar Azam. Wants to give chances to youngesters
Saim Ayub, Tayyub Tahir, Zaman Khan and Isanullah however received the best performance award in the Pakistan Super League. Isanullah has taken the most wickets in the Pakistan Super League. Ayub also performed well with the bat for Peshawar Zalmir. Zaman however won the PSL’s Best Emerging Cricketer award. Apart from this, Azam Khan and Imad Wasim returned to the national team after several days. Three cricketers got their names as reserves. They are Hasibullah, Usama Mir and Abrar Ahmed.
After announcing the team, Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Najam Shetty moreover said,
“Congratulations to Shadab for being selected as Pakistan’s captain in the series against Afghanistan. Shadab will be Pakistan’s vice-captain in white-ball cricket for the past two years. In Babar’s absence, he look after the responsibility of leadership.”
Announced Pakistan Squad against Afghanistan:
Shadab Khan (captain), Abdullah Shafiq, Azam Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Isanullah, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Harris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood, Taib Tahir, Zaman Khan
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