The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Monday announced the 15-member squad for the upcoming T20I series against Afghanistan, naming Shadab Khan as the captain for the Sharjah tour.
Ahead of the team announcement, PCB chief Najam Sethi said that young players who have performed in the Pakistan Super League (PSL 2023) will be given a chance in the series and he has welcomed senior players Babar Azam, Muhammad Rizwan and Shaheen. Afrid trusted the strategy.
In a separate press statement, Najam Sethi congratulated Shadab Khan on his appointment as Pakistan captain for the series against Afghanistan.
“Shadab Khan has been Pakistan’s vice-captain in white-ball cricket for the past two years and it is logical that he should take over the team in Babar Azam’s absence for the short three-match T20I tour in Sharjah.”
PCB chief Mohammad Yusuf has been appointed as interim manager and coaching coach for a short tour of Sharjah and to “ensure continuity”.
Yusuf has been working as a batting coach for the national team since last year and also works at the National High Performance Center.
Sharing the reasons for resting senior players, Chief Selector Haroon Rasheed said they have followed a standard rotation policy by resting top performers and allowing high-performing domestic performers to showcase their talent and potential at the international level.
He said it would also allow the board to test the temperament and abilities of these players and help it strengthen the player pool as they look forward to building and preparing a strong side for next year’s T20 World Cup in West Indies and United. states.
Detachment
Shadab Khan (captain) (Islamabad United), Abdullah Shafique (Lahore Qalandars), Azam Khan (Islamabad United), Faheem Ashraf (Islamabad United), Iftikhar Ahmed (Quetta Gladiators), Ihsanullah (Multan Sultans), Imad Wasim (Karachi Kings) , Mohammad Haris (Peshawar Zalmi), Mohammad Nawaz (Quetta Gladiators), Mohammad Wasim Junior (Islamabad United), Naseem Shah (Quetta Gladiators), Saim Ayub (Peshawar Zalmi), Shan Masood (Multan Sultans), Tayyab Tahir (Karachi Kings) Zaman Khan (Lahore Kalans)
Substitute players are Abrar Ahmed (Islamabad United), Hasibullah (Peshawar Zalmi) and Usama Mir (Multan Sultans).
