The PCB announced the squads for the tours of Australia and Zimbabwe, featuring Babar Azam’s return for ODIs and T20Is against Australia after being dropped previously. Major changes in selection excluded players like Shadab Khan. A new white-ball captain is expected to be announced soon.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced the squads for the highly anticipated tours of Australia and Zimbabwe. Notably, former captain Babar Azam is set to showcase his skills in the One Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 International (T20I) series against Australia, following his omission from the squad during the last two Test matches against England. The tours will commence with a visit to Australia for a series comprising three ODIs and three T20Is, starting November 4, followed by a journey to Zimbabwe for a six-match white-ball series beginning on November 24. Significant changes have been noted in the selected squads, resulting in the exclusion of key players such as Shadab Khan and Fakhar Zaman. As of now, the PCB has withheld the announcement of a new white-ball captain; Chairman Mohsin Naqvi is scheduled to reveal this information in a press conference in Lahore on Sunday at 3:30 PM local time. The PCB’s statement indicated that Babar Azam, alongside players Naseem Shah and Shaheen Shah Afridi, will return to the squad for the Australian matches. However, these players will be rested during the Zimbabwe tour. Mohammad Rizwan will be available for the Australia matches, as well as the Zimbabwe ODIs, but will sit out the T20Is against Zimbabwe. The finalized squads for both tours have been detailed as follows: Pakistan ODI squad for Australia tour: Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (Wicket-keeper), Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan (Wicket-keeper), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi. Pakistan T20I squad for Australia tour: Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (Wicket-keeper), Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan (Wicket-keeper), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Omair Bin Yousuf, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, Usman Khan. Pakistan ODI squad for Zimbabwe tour: Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (Wicket-keeper), Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan (Wicket-keeper), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shahnawaz Dahani, and Tayyab Tahir. Pakistan T20I squad for Zimbabwe tour: Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (Wicket-keeper), Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair Bin Yousuf, Qasim Akram, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir, and Usman Khan.
The decision to announce the squads for the upcoming tours signifies a pivotal moment for the Pakistan cricket team following the recent resignations and changes in leadership. The absence of former captain Babar Azam from earlier matches raised questions regarding his future in the team, making his inclusion for the Australia series crucial. The PCB’s choice to drop seasoned players like Shadab Khan and the announcement of a forthcoming captain adds layers of intrigue and anticipation ahead of these international matches. As international cricket resumes, this tour will be a key focus for both the players and management aimed at solidifying the team’s performance on the world stage.
In summary, the PCB’s squad announcements for the tours of Australia and Zimbabwe have underscored a blend of continuity and change within the national cricket team. While Babar Azam’s return is welcomed, the exclusion of experienced players such as Shadab Khan signals a shift in strategy. As the organization prepares to introduce a new white-ball captain, the upcoming matches serve not only as competitive encounters but also as opportunities for growth and reformation within the team. The outcomes of the tours will be critical in shaping Pakistan’s cricketing future.
Original Source: www.indiatvnews.com
