Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has rested their all-format skipper Babar Azam for the three-T20I series against Afghanistan later this month. All-rounder Shadab Khan has been named captain for the three-T20I series which will be played in Sharjah after the completion of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2023.
In addition to Azam, senior players Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi have been rested for the series as well. In the press release, the PCB said that the decision has been taken in an attempt to strategically manage senior players’ workloads.
"Babar, Fakhar, Haris, Rizwan and Shaheen have been provided breaks from the short Sharjah trip to allow them to switch-off from competitive cricket so that they can complete their rehabilitations, regroup, recompose and recharge their batteries and be fully fit for the challenges in the tough and challenging 2023-24 season," said Chair of the selection committee, Haroon Rashid.
The new T20I squad includes uncapped players Ihsanullah, Saim Ayub, Tayyab Tahir and Zaman Khan who have proved their mettle in the ongoing PSL. In addition, Abdullah Shafique, Azam Khan, Faheem Ashraf and Imad Wasim have been recalled. Khan has been in brilliant form in PSL and can bolster Pakistan's middle order. On the other hand, Ihsanullah has impressed many with his express pace.
Asif Ali, Haider Ali, Mohammad Hasnain and Khushdil Shah have been dropped from the T20I squad. Only six players -- Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Junior, Naseem Shah and Shan Masood -- from Pakistan's last T20I series have been retained.
The T20I series will begin on March 25 and will end on March 29. It will be the first bilateral T20I series between the two nations. Before the T20I series, Afghanistan and Pakistan have met each other three times in the format. Afghanistan came close to beating Pakistan in T20 Asia Cup but Naseem Shah held his nerves and guided them to a one-wicket victory at Sharjah.
Pakistan T20I squad vs Afghanistan: Shadab Khan (c), Abdullah Shafique, Azam Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Ihsanullah, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shan Masood, Tayyab Tahir, Zaman Khan
Reserve players: Abrar Ahmed, Haseebullah and Usama Mir
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