The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has named a 16-player squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh, notably excluding key names such as Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, and Shaheen Shah Afridi.
Selections have been influenced by performances in the recent Pakistan Super League (PSL), paving the way for comebacks for experienced pacer Hasan Ali, all-rounder Hussain Talat, and opener Sahibzada Farhan. Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman, both sidelined from the New Zealand tour due to injuries, have also been recalled.
In addition to Babar, Rizwan, and Shaheen, other players missing from the squad include Abdul Samad, Jahandad Khan, and Abbas Afridi. Mohammad Ali, Omair Bin Yousuf, Sufiyan Muqeem, and Usman Khan have also been left out.
Salman Ali Agha retains the captaincy for the series, with Shadab Khan named as vice-captain.
The T20I series against Bangladesh is now scheduled to take place from May 27 to May 31 at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, following several revisions. Originally intended as a five-match series with games in Faisalabad’s Iqbal Stadium to support the revival of international cricket in the city, the plan was scaled back due to logistical and security challenges.
This will be Pakistan’s first assignment under newly appointed white-ball head coach Mike Hesson, marking the beginning of a new era in the lead-up to the next year’s T20 World Cup.
Pakistan squad for Bangladesh T20Is:
Salman Ali Agha (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris (wicket-keeper), Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Sahibzada Farhan (wicket-keeper) and Saim Ayub.
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