Pakistan fast bowler Haris Rauf has recovered from injury and will return to the squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup, which begins in the United States and West Indies from June 1. The PCB has announced a 15-man squad for the ICC tournament. He last played for the team in January this year. Babar Azam, who returned to the white-ball captaincy in place of Shaheen Afridi early last month, will lead the team.
“This is an extremely talented and well-balanced squad, with a mix of youth and experience,” the PCB said in a statement. “The players have been playing together for some time and look well prepared and settled for next month’s events.” “This is an extremely talented and well-balanced squad, with a mix of youth and experience. The players have been playing together for some time and look well prepared and settled for next month’s events.”
“Haris Rauf is fully fit and bowling well in the nets. It would have been nice if he had played at Headingley but we are confident that he will continue his good form in the upcoming matches as he will play a key role along with the other strike bowlers in the T20 World Cup.”
Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Mohammed Abbas Afridi, Saim Ayub and Usman Khan have all earned their first call-ups, while veteran fast bowler Hasan Ali was notably absent after missing out on selection.
Pakistan are currently in the midst of a bilateral T20I series against England in their preparation for the World Cup. Pakistan last won the tournament in 2009 under captain Younis Khan. Pakistan also reached the final in 2007 under Shoaib Malik and in 2022 under Babar. Pakistan also reached the semi-finals in 2010, 2012 and 2021.
Pakistan are in Group A with arch rivals India, Ireland, Canada and co-hosts USA. They will play their first match against USA in Dallas on June 6 before facing India in New York on June 9.
Pakistan Team: Babar Azam (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammed Abbas Afridi, Mohammed Amir, Mohammed Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi and Usman Khan.
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