The PCB has announced its squads for the upcoming tours of Australia and Zimbabwe, featuring the return of Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Naseem Shah. Mohammad Rizwan is in contention for the captaincy but is rested for T20Is against Zimbabwe. The teams highlight a blend of established players and new talent ahead of significant international fixtures.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has officially announced the squads for the upcoming tours of Australia and Zimbabwe, confirming the return of premier players Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Naseem Shah after their absence from previous Test matches against England. Both Azam and Afridi are included in the squads for the One Day Internationals (ODIs) and Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is), although they will not participate in the matches against Zimbabwe due to rest. There was no captain declared in the PCB’s press release; however, Mohammad Rizwan is anticipated to lead in the white-ball formats, despite being rested for the T20Is against Zimbabwe. Salman Ali Agha has secured his place in all four squads as another candidate for captaincy. Notably absent from the squads are Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq, who did not receive central contracts. Conversely, Mohammad Hasnain, despite lacking a central contract, has made the cut owing to his outstanding performance in the Champions One-Day Cup. Shadab Khan, a significant player, has been withdrawn, replaced by Sufiyan Muqeem among the traveling parties for the T20Is. Other players noted are wicketkeeper Haseebullah Khan, included in all squads. In contrast, Mohammad Haris has seen a drop in his ranking and is not part of the announcement. The ODIs against Australia commence on November 4, marking Pakistan’s first ODI series since the previous World Cup in India. This period leads into a succession of white-ball matches ahead of the Champions Trophy scheduled for February 2024 in Pakistan. The details for the squads traveling to Australia and Zimbabwe are as follows: Australia Tour (Nov 4-18) ODI Squad: Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (WK), Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi. T20I Squad: Arafat Minhas, Babar Azam, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Omair Bin Yousuf, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sufyan Moqim, Usman Khan. Zimbabwe Tour (Nov 24 – Dec 5) ODI Squad: Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (WK), Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan (WK), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shahnawaz Dahani, Tayyab Tahir. T20I Squad: Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (WK), Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair bin Yousuf, Qasim Akram, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha, Sufyan Moqim, Tayyab Tahir, Usman Khan.
The announcement by the Pakistan Cricket Board regarding the squads for the tours of Australia and Zimbabwe highlights the strategic selections made in preparation for critical international fixtures. The inclusion of notable players like Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Naseem Shah indicates the PCB’s aim to strengthen their team dynamics and performance in the upcoming series. Additionally, the dynamics of squad selection, such as the absence of certain players despite their past performances, raises discussions regarding the criteria and importance of central contracts in relation to international representation. This is further compounded by the keen anticipation leading into significant ODI fixtures leading up to the Champions Trophy, which is an ICC event that Pakistan is scheduled to host.
In summary, the PCB’s recent squad announcements underscore a strategic reinstatement of key players as Pakistan prepares for challenging tours in Australia and Zimbabwe. With the presence of experienced players coupled with emerging talents, the upcoming series will serve as a crucial testing ground for the national team. The absence of specific players, along with the uncertainty in captaincy, illustrates the complexities of team selection and the evolving landscape of Pakistani cricket as they gear up for the Champions Trophy.
Original Source: www.espncricinfo.com
