Asif Ali and Azam Khan make the cut as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) confirmed a 15-man squad for the ICC T20 World Cup 2021. Khushdil Shah have also been included, but there was no place for Sarfaraz Ahmed or Fakhar Zaman.
Azam is a young wicketkeeper who impressed everyone with his hitting prowess. His strike rate hovers around 150 in T20I cricket. He smashed a 30-ball 50 for Barbados Royals a few days ago in CPL 2021.
Asif, meanwhile, is currently with Jamaica Tallawahs. His inclusion was surprising, given his performance in recent T20 matches. Similarly, Khushdil has aggregated 130 runs in nine T20Is.
‘Asif Ali and Khushdil Shah may not have impressive numbers against their names but hardly anyone can doubt their tremendous talent and prowess,’ said chief selector Mohammad Wasim.
Usman Qadir, Shahnawaz Dahani and Fakhar Zaman are named as three reserves for the squad. The same squad will feature in the forthcoming home series against England and New Zealand.
Pakistan squad for T20 World Cup: Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan (vc), Asif Ali, Azam Khan, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Khushdil Shah, Sohaib Maqsood
Reserves: Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman Qadir, Fakhar Zaman
Hours after the squad has been announced, Pakistan head coach Misbah-ul-Haq and bowling coach Waqar Younis resigned from their posts. Pakistan are scheduled to host New Zealand and England in forthcoming months before flying to the UAE for T20 World Cup.
As per Daily Pakistan, Saqlain Mushtaq is likely to replace Misbah, while Abdul Razzaq will be the new bowling coach.
Pakistan’s overall performance has been erratic in the Misbah-Waqar tenure. Many fans and former players have been vocal against the duo in recent past.