Pakistan announce squad for ICC T20 World Cup 2022 and New Zealand series Tri-series

[Firebat]

Pakistan cricket selectors today unveiled their squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Australia 2022, which will be held from 16 October to 13 November. In the seven events to date, Pakistan has won the title in 2009 in the United Kingdom, reached the final in 2007 and featured in the 2010, 2012 and 2021 semifinals, a record that makes them one of the most consistent sides to date.



In the 15-player World Cup squad, top-order batter Shan Masood has been included in the side for the shortest format for the first-time along with fast bowlers Mohammad Wasim Junior and Shaheen Shah Afridi, while Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris and Shahnawaz Dahani have been named as the three traveling reserves.

Wasim Junior has been included after recovering completely from the side strain he suffered during the ACC T20 Asia Cup, whereas Shaheen, who is undergoing rehabilitation for a knee injury in London and expected to resume bowling early next month, will join the squad in Brisbane on 15 October.

Prior to their arrival in Brisbane on 15 October, the World Cup-bound squad will feature in the T20I tri-series in Christchurch from 7-14 October where Bangladesh and New Zealand will be the other participating sides.

Chief selector Muhammad Wasim: “We have a team that can perform strongly in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022. That’s why we have shown faith and confidence in almost the same set of players who have been part of the T20I squad post the 2021 World Cup in the UAE.

“These players have performed well since November 2021 and that’s why we have won nine out of our last 13 T20Is. We have invested in these cricketers and it is fair to them that they get the opportunity to show their mettle in the World Cup, an event for which they have been preparing and training hard.

“We needed to ensure continuity and support to these players, and that’s precisely what we have done.

“We are receiving encouraging reports about Shaheen Shah Afridi, who is likely to resume bowling early next month.”

 

[PakEngFan]

Good to see no fixer Sharjeel after all the media pressure and Malik too.

 

[m.shah]

What is usman qadir doing there?It will be fun seeing Khushdil Shah batting in Australia.

 

[BunnyRabbit]

Hasnain, Khushdil, Iftikhar and Qadir should not be there.

This CS and management are hell bent on keep trying the same failures and expecting different results.

Pretty awful.

 

[ritzy_123]

I was saying in another thread they won't make too many changes Shan Masood and Haider Ali will be given a chance but I feel for Shahnawaz Dhani as Hasnain has pace and experience as he played in Australia that is why he has been given a chance..

I still have concern regarding Khushdil Shah as how he'll learn to play bounce so fast specially in Australian Conditions?

What is the deadline for making any last minute chances to the squad?

 

[Kianig89]

So khushdil ifitkhar all retained not sure whether Shan masood will work in Australia has short ball problems and nibble feet movement hopefully he has rectified it

 

[Asif321]

Wow . This is gonna get worse . Now you have top 3 players of same style Babar Rizwan Shan . Followed by tullaybaaz

How come Dahani is in reserves . He should be in 15 . Usman qadir ? You already have. Two spinners.

 

[NeVerMind]

Hasnain, Khushdil, Iftikhar and Qadir should not be there.

This CS and management are hell bent on keep trying the same failures and expecting different results.

Pretty awful.

Hasnain didn't do badly in my opinion but agree with the rest. They better give Haider and Shaan a proper chance against England...

 

[muazy1]

Lmao " Doing the same experiement again and again and expecting different results" They are gonna get destroyed in Australia.

No Sharjeel and they put Fakhar and Dahani in reserves smh...

 

[Marooned]

Shahnawaz Dahani dropped. Pathetic decision.

These guys don't know anything. Australia is tailor made for Dahani. He played 2 Asia Cup games and did well. He has more control than Hasnain presently and is generally a more reliable option.

I'd easily have dropped Hasnain instead but there is one more point.

Why Qadir?? We now have seen he simply cannot be trusted. It's a wasted spot because the team would likely never trust him in WC, rightly so. Could've given his spot to Dahani too.

 

[PakEngFan]

All people want ifti kushdil and Asif out including me. But what are the alternatives?

 

[Suleiman]

Shahnawaz Dahani dropped. Pathetic decision.

These guys don't know anything. Australia is tailor made for Dahani. He played 2 Asia Cup games and did well. He has more control than Hasnain presently and is generally a more reliable option.

I'd easily have dropped Hasnain instead but there is one more point.

Why Qadir?? We now have seen he simply cannot be trusted. It's a wasted spot because the team would likely never trust him in WC, rightly so. Could've given his spot to Dahani too.

Yet Iftikhar plays despite a tremendous match losing innings. Every time that guy survives the chopping block, it only solidifies the suspicion that he is connected with the higher ups. He is the new Imran Farhat of this new generation.

Dahani dropped for no reason- classic Pakistan selection.

 

[Marooned]

They should have atleast looked to replace Khushdil Shah. It's abundantly clear this guy is beyond useless. Anyone but him.

 

[Kianig89]

Pakistan are going with much stability for slambang cricket all strutters selected and guess what they will overlap in batting order we are playing like 50s sport

 

[sam_ahm]

I wasn't expecting any major changes but still thought at least Khushdil will be dropped.

Got to feel for Dahani, it was very close between him and Hasnain and they've gone in with Hasnain. Still not bad I would say.

I don't know if Shan Masood has indeed turned into a hell of a T20 batter but let's see.
A lot will depend on him and Haider Ali, if they can make the middle order more reliable.

I'm not fully sure but I think you can make changes to the squad until 10th October.

 

[Sunny_majoka]

Man this Khshdil guy has some serious connections

 

[CricketBuff]

Its hard to justify Usman Qadir and Iftikhar in the squad. Surely there were other compulsions.

 

[Maliq_Mudasir]

Good bye T20 WC see you next time.

Ridiculous to include Iftikhar and Khusdil again. Even more ridiculous to keep Dhani in reserve. Pathetic from PCB and Babar.

 

[Maliq_Mudasir]

Man this Khshdil guy has some serious connections

Khusdil, iftikhar and Usman. All of them are parchis

 

[NeVerMind]

No Imad Wasim as well...

 

[Markhor]

It'll be a miracle if we get out of the group stages with so many liabilities in that squad.

- Khushdil Shah has a T20I SR of 110. What the heck is he still doing there ? How can anyone look at his ugly technique and think he can succeed on bouncy Australian surfaces ?

- Asif Ali's had plenty of opportunities and hasn't maximised them.

- Mohammad Hasnain was our WORST pacer in the Asia Cup ! While Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf blew away the Sri Lankan top order in the final, this guy was getting smacked. How does he keep getting picked ? Lucky to have been named ahead of Shahnawaz Dhani.

- Usman Qadir's friendship with skipper once again coming in handy. God forbid if one of our frontline spinners gets injured otherwise expect the usual two full tosses an over.

None of the flaws with the Asia Cup side have been addressed. It's like Saqlain, Babar and Wasim didn't see us huffing and puffing against Afghanistan, losing and then scraping a win against India, and getting hammered twice by Sri Lanka.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Hasnain didn't do badly in my opinion but agree with the rest. They better give Haider and Shaan a proper chance against England...

Knowing Babar who is so insecure of his captaincy and also his spot in the team after being the top most batsman

They will play an extra spinner instead of Shan and Haider Ali

 

[shamaan]

What a **** squad.
Husnain getting picked instead of Dahani !
Khushdil and Iftikhar getting picked!
3 players in Shan Masood,Babar and Rizwan who bat at less than 130 strike rate!
Qadir in the squad for what !

 

[proud_pakistani]

Poor batting line up. So basically we are depending on Babar and Rizwan and the pace bowlers to get us across.

 

[shamaan]

Hasnain, Khushdil, Iftikhar and Qadir should not be there.

This CS and management are hell bent on keep trying the same failures and expecting different results.

Pretty awful.

Shocking squad how does Hasnain get in the squad ahead of Dahani !

 

[ask_analyse_act]

It'll be a miracle if we get out of the group stages with so many liabilities in that squad.

- Khushdil Shah has a T20I SR of 110. What the heck is he still doing there ? How can anyone look at his ugly technique and think he can succeed on bouncy Australian surfaces ?

- Asif Ali's had plenty of opportunities and hasn't maximised them.

- Mohammad Hasnain was our WORST pacer in the Asia Cup ! While Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf blew away the Sri Lankan top order in the final, this guy was getting smacked. How does he keep getting picked ? Lucky to have been named ahead of Shahnawaz Dhani.

- Usman Qadir's friendship with skipper once again coming in handy. God forbid if one of our frontline spinners gets injured otherwise expect the usual two full tosses an over.

None of the flaws with the Asia Cup side have been addressed. It's like Saqlain, Babar and Wasim didn't see us huffing and puffing against Afghanistan, losing and then scraping a win against India, and getting hammered twice by Sri Lanka.

Logic doesn’t go hand in hand with PCB, because their heads are literally empty

 

[shamaan]

So khushdil ifitkhar all retained not sure whether Shan masood will work in Australia has short ball problems and nibble feet movement hopefully he has rectified it

You can't have Shan,Babar and Rizwan in the top 3/4 !

 

[shamaan]

Lmao " Doing the same experiement again and again and expecting different results" They are gonna get destroyed in Australia.

No Sharjeel and they put Fakhar and Dahani in reserves smh...

Clueless selection.

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

Pakistan are going with much stability for slambang cricket all strutters selected and guess what they will overlap in batting order we are playing like 50s sport

Surprised to see Fakhar dropped. I know he’s had a tough time recently but I would have still had him in the squad.

They’ve also put a lot of faith in Ifti and Khushdil. For their sakes, I hope they make it count because if not now, then when?

Also, happy to see Shan in there. He’s not some aggressive master blaster, but he will bring his own confidence to the team, plus this Shan Masood will bring a lot to the dressing room as a leader.

Also, it’s tough on Dahani, but Hasnain in Australia can very useful, plus he has experienced playing there. With Mohammed Wasim, for all his faults the boy takes wickets. He also has potential with the bat which hopefully comes through.

Usman Qadir is an odd choice, but there aren’t any other reserve wrist spinners that can support/replace Shadab ( Zahid Mehmood did not change most peoples minds when he played SA). Usman can be replaced in the long term, but not currently.

This is now the squad. Let’s get behind them and support them rather than slitting wrists

 

[Gayle_Force]

Given the circumstances and the available pool of talent I think this is a decent squad. The only thing is that the batting options are very limited and we probably could have one more batsman in the in place of Usman Qadir. With Fakhar in reserves it likely means Shan will be number 3 and I hope they go with Haider as number 4 with one of Iftikhar and Khushdil as number 5.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Again Asif ali, Ifthikar Ahmed , Khusdil Shah.

Now way this team gonna go past the group stages.

 

[shamaan]

All people want ifti kushdil and Asif out including me. But what are the alternatives?

I would have picked Imad Wasim and dropped Qadir and Pick Fakhar instead of Khushdil who has no clue what he's doing.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

Given the circumstances and the available pool of talent I think this is a decent squad. The only thing is that the batting options are very limited and we probably could have one more batsman in the in place of Usman Qadir. With Fakhar in reserves it likely means Shan will be number 3 and I hope they go with Haider as number 4 with one of Iftikhar and Khushdil as number 5.

It looks like Asif ali is the first name in the team sheet

 

[SamNJ]

Taking "Tum jito ya haaro, humay tumsay pyar h" bit too seriously.

 

[Shafi]

This laptop Selector needs to be sacked along with Babar and yes man Saqlain. First round exit for sure.

 

[shamaan]

Pakistan will struggle to make it out the group stage if they pick 3 accumulators in the top 3

 

[ads101]

It's a good squad and mostly expected. They went with Hasnain over Dahani in asia cup, and you've got to properly back one now. I probably would have chosen Dahani over Hasnain in asia cup, but we can't keep switching back and forth. Though I think both Dahani and Hasnain did not look great in Asia cup.

I'm not that impressed with Khushdil Shah, but if we have to be honest it is difficult to properly give Iftikhar and Khushdil chances batting middle order/lower middle order. They have also both been rather impressive in domestic/PSL, let's be honest there aren't many other options. Haider Ali is also already there, who really should be given the first chance anyway if one of these two fail. The main two batsmen people want to try here in Masood and Haider Ali are already in the squad, and it's difficult to think of a definite name outside those two that comes into mind right now.

Qadir I can understand too, given his great record in T20s so far and his experience in australia. But this was probably the option most up for debate, I'm a bit surprised they didn't include a fast bowling allrounder here. Though maybe it's simply that there isn't one in Pakistan right now that they actually rate.

 

[ask_analyse_act]

This PPT selector was once vouched for to be national team coach , he has thinking that an opener should only open , even if he is in form of his life no matter what he should be benched for a low level batter who plays at 4 or 5 regularly

 

[Rana]

Not a bad Test squad, should be able to maintain a rr of 3.5

 

[shamaan]

Surprised to see Fakhar dropped. I know he’s had a tough time recently but I would have still had him in the squad.

They’ve also put a lot of faith in Ifti and Khushdil. For their sakes, I hope they make it count because if not now, then when?

Also, happy to see Shan in there. He’s not some aggressive master blaster, but he will bring his own confidence to the team, plus this Shan Masood will bring a lot to the dressing room as a leader.

Also, it’s tough on Dahani, but Hasnain in Australia can very useful, plus he has experienced playing there. With Mohammed Wasim, for all his faults the boy takes wickets. He also has potential with the bat which hopefully comes through.

Usman Qadir is an odd choice, but there aren’t any other reserve wrist spinners that can support/replace Shadab ( Zahid Mehmood did not change most peoples minds when he played SA). Usman can be replaced in the long term, but not currently.

This is now the squad. Let’s get behind them and support them rather than slitting wrists

Playing Babar,Rizwan and Shan in the top 3 will be a disaster.Imad should have been picked instead of Imad Wasim atleast he can fill gap with his batting.

 

[Sherlock]

Of course they'll include Ifthikar 'chacha' Ahmed, Kushdil 'I only bash crap teams' Shah and Asif 'I hit sixes in the nets' Ali.

What a laughable selection.

No wonder Muhammad Wasim has been getting plenty of criticism.

 

[shamaan]

Not a bad Test squad, should be able to maintain a rr of 3.5

If your lucky they maybe able to achieve that.

 

[shamaan]

I think we all know what the final xi will be

Babar
Rizwan
Shan
Haider Ali
Iftikhar
Asif Ali
Shadab
Nawaz
Shaheen
Rauf
Naseem

 

[Gayle_Force]

Pakistan will struggle to make it out the group stage if they pick 3 accumulators in the top 3

I don’t think there were really many options. I am a big fan of Fakhar but he doesn’t fill you with confidence in bouncy condition and he is out of form. The other is Sharjeel who is way too unfit.

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

Playing Babar,Rizwan and Shan in the top 3 will be a disaster.Imad should have been picked instead of Imad Wasim atleast he can fill gap with his batting.

I know bro. I think it’s now or never for Babar and Rizzy to go harder at the bowling from ball 1.

 

[mosh101]

If Shan doesnt open there is no point putting him in the squad.

 

[Rana]

The selection announcer was absolutely grilled by the journalists present this time

A storm is coming

 

[Rana]

I know bro. I think it’s now or never for Babar and Rizzy to go harder at the bowling from ball 1.

They will open with Rizwan and Masood

Babar will come at 3

Then they will hope Russouw and Tim David are coming at 4 and 5

 

[Ahmed216]

Selectors and some of the fans are on the same page. The theory is there is no batting talent in Pakistan so might as well continue with likes of khush ifti Asif and let them fail perennially

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

Interestingly they’ve also included Aamir Jamal and Abrar Ahmed in the England series Squad. As it happens, you can still change the squad before October 15th. If Khushdil and Ifti still don’t do it, and If Usman and Abrar basically have a bowl off in the series, we may see further changes!

 

[Rana]

Selectors and some of the fans are on the same page. The theory is there is no batting talent in Pakistan so might as well continue with likes of khush ifti Asif and let them fail perennially

Include the openers in that list too. The journalists at the press conference were continuously pressing the selection announcer on this point

 

[Maliq_Mudasir]

Not a bad Test squad, should be able to maintain a rr of 3.5

R u crazy??? Asif , khushdil and ifti in test squad ? Stop insulting test cricket

 

[shamaan]

I don’t think there were really many options. I am a big fan of Fakhar but he doesn’t fill you with confidence in bouncy condition and he is out of form. The other is Sharjeel who is way too unfit.

Does Khushdil fill you with more confidence in Australia?.I would rather have a fat Sharjeel than a slow pedestrian player.

 

[shamaan]

I know bro. I think it’s now or never for Babar and Rizzy to go harder at the bowling from ball 1.

I don't think they have the capabilities to go hard that's not thier game.

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

They will open with Rizwan and Masood

Babar will come at 3

Then they will hope Russouw and Tim David are coming at 4 and 5

The squad doesn’t fill me with confidence, but let’s see how they v England. It’s gonna be a big series.

 

[Kianig89]

Buttler just revealed his plan for Pak series don't get Pakistani openers out confidently he said will bowl them according to plan and they will score 135/0 in 20 overs which Eng will hastily chase in 15overs

 

[Rana]

The squad doesn’t fill me with confidence, but let’s see how they v England. It’s gonna be a big series.

The chief selection announcer was convinced this is the right squad because they have won 9/13 last T20 games.

The man is the biggest tool I have ever seen. I wish I could have a one on one Q&A session with him. I will absolutely tear his answers to shreds the way Camille Vasquez annihilated Amber Heard

 

[asadee]

I would have included Sharjeel instead of Khushdil otherwise its not a bad squad

 

[Xoib]

It's an OK team with the resources available I would have dropped Khushdil and kept Fakhar. I thnk Shan plays @3 now onus is on Haider to replace Khusdil or Iftikhar in the playing Xi then we are going somewhere.

 

[Extra_Cover]

Whilst I like the idea of not tinkering and making a lot of changes to a lineup that was given a long run with T20 WC in mind, some of the selections are just baffling.

To start with Fakhar Zaman. From all the deadweights we carried in the team in the light of Ifti, Asif and Khushdil. Fakhar is the only one with any merit and history that can potentially be a game winner for us on the day. To simply drop Fakhar and to retain all the other deadweights is just a brainless selection. If this is a mental health concern issue and someone in PCB had a chat with Fakhar and decided this is best for his personal wellbeing then its completely acceptable.

Next is the selection of our prestige trio of Ifti, Asif and Khushdil. As I mentioned in other thread I made. None of them justifies their place and if we are to not make many changes to our squad then at best only 1 of these 3 can play. Its pointless to play all 3. Whoever of these 3 ends up in playing XI will be lucky on personal level and overall the team would be unlucky.

Next is selection of Hasnain whilst Dahani is dropped. I personally believe Hasnain although he has the correct attitude he still needs more domestic experience. Whilst Dahani has been brilliant since PSL and needs to be seriously considered for such events. Unlucky Dahani.

The last one I'm not happy about is continued selection of Usman Qadir. In my opinion Usman would not play a single game therefore it made sense to utilise this spot for someone like Haris (backup keeper) or Fakhar. Nothing against the guy and in hindsight it would be unfair to him to drop him simply because he has been carried around with team with not much game time but team decisions should be at forefront and such difficult decisions needs to be made.

The positives obviously in here is that selection committee has not entertained the media noises around Sharjeel and Malik. Its unfair for a player to make noise in media and end up getting selected in national side as it does not set good precedence. On Sharjeel's form I highly request people on here to watch the domestic games to see the quality of his runs and how many times he was dropped in that particular innings.

Another positive note is that selection committee is showing guts and continuing on a plan by sticking with the same set of players that they had in mind and gave them a year long run.

I wish Pakistan team the best of luck in the upcoming T20 WC and I hope we can make it far in this tournament.

 

[Markhor]

Logic doesn’t go hand in hand with PCB, because their heads are literally empty

Babar is one of the most CROOKED captains I've ever seen with selections. Friendship and seniority is all that matters.

This guy played 40 year olds Hafeez and Malik in a frickin' home T20I series vs Bangladesh. We stunted the development of our middle order because these seniors played in every useless series.

He didn't even give Haider Ali the dead rubber vs SL in Asia Cup. Shan didn't make the Asia Cup squad despite being in form of his life.

I didn't mind giving Hasan Ali a chance to recover his form but he should've been dropped after getting hammered vs Australia at home. Again another wasted opportunity to groom someone like Dhani who's tailor made for Australia with his hard lengths.

Most importantly he refuses to demote himself despite his SR in PP since 2020 being slightly over a run a ball which has totally imbalanced our batting lineup. No half-decent T20 side has two anchors at the top. He's not made for captaincy just like Joe Root and the sooner he's replaced the better.

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

Btw, has anybody watched this Aamir Jamal lad much? I know he’s had a few good outings in the National T20, but that’s the extent of my knowledge on him

 

[PerfectionPersonified]

Wow . This is gonna get worse . Now you have top 3 players of same style Babar Rizwan Shan . Followed by tullaybaaz

How come Dahani is in reserves . He should be in 15 . Usman qadir ? You already have. Two spinners.

Khushdil can bowl
Chacha can bowl
Nawaz will bowl
Shadab will bowl



Qadir is a stupid selection

 

[mrtaim3]

So khushdil ifitkhar all retained not sure whether Shan masood will work in Australia has short ball problems and nibble feet movement hopefully he has rectified it

Shan Masood is the only Pakistani batsmen who can play short ball with complete control. He was weak on 5th stump. I hope he has rectified that. But don't think that would be a too much of a problem in T20

 

[KingOfPakBreakfast]

Whilst I like the idea of not tinkering and making a lot of changes to a lineup that was given a long run with T20 WC in mind, some of the selections are just baffling.

To start with Fakhar Zaman. From all the deadweights we carried in the team in the light of Ifti, Asif and Khushdil. Fakhar is the only one with any merit and history that can potentially be a game winner for us on the day. To simply drop Fakhar and to retain all the other deadweights is just a brainless selection. If this is a mental health concern issue and someone in PCB had a chat with Fakhar and decided this is best for his personal wellbeing then its completely acceptable.

Next is the selection of our prestige trio of Ifti, Asif and Khushdil. As I mentioned in other thread I made. None of them justifies their place and if we are to not make many changes to our squad then at best only 1 of these 3 can play. Its pointless to play all 3. Whoever of these 3 ends up in playing XI will be lucky on personal level and overall the team would be unlucky.

Next is selection of Hasnain whilst Dahani is dropped. I personally believe Hasnain although he has the correct attitude he still needs more domestic experience. Whilst Dahani has been brilliant since PSL and needs to be seriously considered for such events. Unlucky Dahani.

The last one I'm not happy about is continued selection of Usman Qadir. In my opinion Usman would not play a single game therefore it made sense to utilise this spot for someone like Haris (backup keeper) or Fakhar. Nothing against the guy and in hindsight it would be unfair to him to drop him simply because he has been carried around with team with not much game time but team decisions should be at forefront and such difficult decisions needs to be made.

The positives obviously in here is that selection committee has not entertained the media noises around Sharjeel and Malik. Its unfair for a player to make noise in media and end up getting selected in national side as it does not set good precedence. On Sharjeel's form I highly request people on here to watch the domestic games to see the quality of his runs and how many times he was dropped in that particular innings.

Another positive note is that selection committee is showing guts and continuing on a plan by sticking with the same set of players that they had in mind and gave them a year long run.

I wish Pakistan team the best of luck in the upcoming T20 WC and I hope we can make it far in this tournament.

To clarify, Fakhar is out w/ a knee injury hence his dropping. I also think if Abrar does well in the England series, he’ll replace Qadir as the teams can change squads before October 15

 

[PakPremi]

All I can say to Selectors is bahoot bura KIA!

 

[Kianig89]

In worst scenario our 55/0 in 8 overs could turn into 100/6 in 16 overs and we might languish to 135/9 in 20overs and knowing the fast and good tracks in Aus opposition will chase it in 17 overs

 

[Seen Sheen]

It'll be a miracle if we get out of the group stages with so many liabilities in that squad.

- Khushdil Shah has a T20I SR of 110. What the heck is he still doing there ? How can anyone look at his ugly technique and think he can succeed on bouncy Australian surfaces ?

- Asif Ali's had plenty of opportunities and hasn't maximised them.

- Mohammad Hasnain was our WORST pacer in the Asia Cup ! While Naseem Shah and Haris Rauf blew away the Sri Lankan top order in the final, this guy was getting smacked. How does he keep getting picked ? Lucky to have been named ahead of Shahnawaz Dhani.

- Usman Qadir's friendship with skipper once again coming in handy. God forbid if one of our frontline spinners gets injured otherwise expect the usual two full tosses an over.

None of the flaws with the Asia Cup side have been addressed. It's like Saqlain, Babar and Wasim didn't see us huffing and puffing against Afghanistan, losing and then scraping a win against India, and getting hammered twice by Sri Lanka.

I feel Khushdil is there to make up the numbers. Since we don't have anyone knocking the door in domestics (T20s) in the middle order, I guess that's why selectors opted for continuity. I have followed National T20 and unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be anyone who has set the tournament on fire in the middle order. There are couple of young guys with a lot of potential but they are definitely not ready yet for internationals.

Haider probably will take Khushdil's spot in the playing XI (I dearly hope).

I would say Hasnain wasn't that bad; even in the final. He erred slightly on length (which was a bit understandable as he was getting some nice shape and wanted to bring slips into play). He was extremely unlucky in the death over as he should have had Rajapaksa. Also, he was most threatening in the super 4 game against Sri Lanka. Brilliant spell it was; steep bounce plus outswing!

But I fully agree that no way Usamn Qadir should have been there; Dahani should have been there in his place. I know leg-spinners are worth their weight in gold in T20s but they should at least be landing 6 deliveries at round about same spot; this guy is hopeless at doing that, bowls at least one or two buffet balls per over which releases all the pressure.

Only the captaincy change could have maximised the potential of the squad. I feel these are more or less the best resources we have - yes we can debate about a couple of spots in the squad but largely we can select the best XI available in Pakistan from this squad - but captain's lack of imagination and tactical blunders would bring down the potential of the team.

 

[Liverpool_Faizan]

Given the circumstances and situation it’s probably the right team.

Fakhar should have played instead of Khusdil I feel but it’s relative. Fakhar was always going to fail in Dubai whereas he prob would have done better in Australia.

Otherwise the team is as expected. Can’t argue too much.

 

[Marooned]

Khushdil can bowl
Chacha can bowl
Nawaz will bowl
Shadab will bowl



Qadir is a stupid selection

They could've picked Imad Wasim over Full toss Qadir. Can you imagine how infinitely better that would've been?

 

[PakEngFan]

I would have picked Imad Wasim and dropped Qadir and Pick Fakhar instead of Khushdil who has no clue what he's doing.

Fakhar had no clue the whole tournament. Imad is rubbish. Nawaz is there instead of him. Plus he’s a pathetic fielder too.

 

[Nasty Naz]

Everyone's favourite Shan Masood has been selected.

Just seems like Pakistan are happy to go with this accumulation route with pinch hitters at the end to try to make up for it. Not an ideal strategy but I don't blame them. There's simply not enough talent domestically to play T20 like England/India etc do.

Probably a chance squad gets a bit tweaked too if Fakhar can perform really well in upcoming matches.

A bit disappointed Dahani isn't in the squad and that may change too but I just don't see a reason to include Qadir. Does anyone have faith he can do anything? Zero control & a huge leaker. Even if both of the spinners get injured, I would honestly rather just go all pacers & use Ifti/Khushdil if necessary.

Minor positive towards future - no Sarfraz or Malik selection. Haris is a hack right now but I would still much rather give him chances and hack to get out quickly than Sarfraz accumulate at run a ball.

 

[u0sama]

I will go with two leg spinner in playing eleven, even Asian countries dont play legspinner well now.

My 11
1)Babar
2)Rizwan
3)Shan
4)Nawaz
5)Shadab
6)Asif Ali
7)Wasim
8)Qadir
9)Shaheen
10)Rauf
11)Naseem

 

[Gayle_Force]

Does Khushdil fill you with more confidence in Australia?.I would rather have a fat Sharjeel than a slow pedestrian player.

Khushdil does not fill me with confidence but he is a lower order player and not a direct comparison to top order. Sharjeel is well past his sell by date. I am glad sanity prevailed and we looked past him.

 

[chinaman00]

Horrible squad.

I mean if you were going to the past why not pick Sharjeel who has a very good record in Australia over this test match player who is fronting as T20 batsman by bashing unproven and inexperienced bowlers?

Shan will be a spectacular failure in Australia and all the flows that has made him a below par Test & ODI player will come to the fore.

 

[Rana]

Horrible squad.

I mean if you were going to the past why not pick Sharjeel who has a very good record in Australia over this test match player who is fronting as T20 batsman by bashing unproven and inexperienced bowlers?

Shan will be a spectacular failure in Australia and all the flows that has made him a below par Test & ODI player will come to the fore.

What is success and what is failure in the eyes of PCB and it’s leadership?

That is the question

 

[MenInG]

Shaheen Shah Afridi, the ace pacer, is set to return from injury during the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia as Pakistan named their 15-member squad for the tournament.

Afridi had missed the Asia Cup after being advised a 4-6 weeks rest by the medical team following an injury to the right knee ligament. He had copped an injury while fielding during the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle in July.

The squad also featured Shan Masood, who is yet to play in a T20I, while Haider Ali was recalled to the side after last featuring in the format in December 2021.

However, Fakhar Zaman, the blazing batter, has been sidelined to the reserves after a knee injury and despite much buzz, there was also no recall for veteran Shoaib Malik.

Masood has been called up to play T20Is for the first time on the back of a good run of form in the T20 Blast in England. He has played for Pakistan in Tests and ODIs, last representing them in the longest format in 2021.

Haider Ali comes in for Fakhar Zaman, who remains in the reserves despite a poor 2022 with the bat. The left-hander has played seven T20Is this year, totalling just 96 runs and averaging 13.71.

Haider has played 21 T20Is for Pakistan, the last of them in December 2021. He has made three fifties and averages 23.88 in the format.

“We have a team that can perform strongly in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022,” chief selector Mohammad Wasim said.

“That’s why we have shown faith and confidence in almost the same set of players who have been part of the T20I squad post the 2021 World Cup in the UAE.

“These players have performed well since November 2021 and that’s why we have won nine out of our last 13 T20Is. We have invested in these cricketers and it is fair to them that they get the opportunity to show their mettle in the World Cup, an event for which they have been preparing and training hard.

“We needed to ensure continuity and support to these players, and that’s precisely what we have done. We are receiving encouraging reports about Shaheen Shah Afridi, who is likely to resume bowling early next month.”

The same team will also play the tri-series in New Zealand, also involving Bangladesh, ahead of the T20 World Cup.

Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris and Shahnawaz Dahani have been named as the three traveling reserves. The same team, sans Shaheen Afridi and Fakhar Zaman, will play in the seven-match T20I series against England.

T20 World Cup squad: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shan Masood, Usman Qadir

Reserves: Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Haris, Shahnawaz Dahani

 

[Rana]

Shaheen is probably injured

Don’t see the point of throwing a guy in a high pressure game v India having played no cricket for 3/4 months

 

[Nasty Naz]

Shaheen is probably injured

Don’t see the point of throwing a guy in a high pressure game v India having played no cricket for 3/4 months

Being the best bowler on the team is a pretty good point to play him if he's healthy.

 

[Rana]

Challenge: Select the worst ever squad in the history of Pakistan even without Hassan Ali

PCB: Challenge accepted! *announced 2022 squad*