The Pakistan cricket selectors have announced a new-look squad of 15 players for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan, to be played from 24 to 27 March in Sharjah. The selection panel has kept an eye on the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, and has also strategically managed the workload of the elite cricketers to ensure the extension of their careers.

All-rounder Shadab Khan will captain the team, which includes four uncapped players: Ihsanullah, Saim Ayub, Tayyab Tahir and Zaman Khan. Azam Khan, Abdullah Shafique, Faheem Ashraf and Imad Wasim have been recalled to the side.

Nine players have been rested or dropped, including captain Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Mohammad Rizwan and Shaheen Shah Afridi, who were part of the squad that reached the final of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia. The retained players from the last T20I series are Iftikhar Ahmed, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Junior, Naseem Shah and Shan Masood.

Chair of the selection committee, Haroon Rashid, stated that the standard rotation policy has been followed, with high-performing domestic players being given opportunities to demonstrate their talent and potential at the international level. Rashid also congratulated the players who have broken into the national side after showing strong performances in the domestic circuit and the PSL 8.

Chair of PCB Management Committee, Najam Sethi, congratulated Shadab Khan on his appointment as captain for the series against Afghanistan and announced Mohammad Yousuf as the interim head and batting coach to ensure continuity for the short Sharjah tour.

The squad for the series is a mixture of youth and experience, and is aimed at building and preparing a formidable side for next year’s T20 World Cup in the West Indies and United States. The rested players have been provided with a break to complete their rehabilitation and regroup for the challenges in the 2023-24 season.

Pakistan squad

1. Shadab Khan (captain) (Islamabad United)
2. Abdullah Shafique (Lahore Qalandars)
3. Azam Khan (Islamabad United)
4. Faheem Ashraf (Islamabad United)
5. Iftikhar Ahmed (Quetta Gladiators)
6. Ihsanullah (Multan Sultans)
7. Imad Wasim (Karachi Kings)
8. Mohammad Haris (Peshawar Zalmi)
9. Mohammad Nawaz (Quetta Gladiators)
10. Mohammad Wasim Junior (Islamabad United)
11. Naseem Shah (Quetta Gladiators)
12. Saim Ayub (Peshawar Zalmi)
13. Shan Masood (Multan Sultans)
14. Tayyab Tahir (Karachi Kings)
15. Zaman Khan (Lahore Qalandars)