Pakistan have named five pace bowlers in the 15-man squad for the tournaments in the United States and the West Indies.
Pakistan will continue to be coached by Babar Azam for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, with the South Asian outfit announcing a pace-focused squad for the tournament.
Babar, who stepped down as captain after the 50-over Cricket World Cup in November, returned earlier this year and will lead the 2009 champions in tournaments in the United States and West Indies next month.
When Pakistan announced their 15-man squad on Friday, they retained fast bowler Haris Rauf despite doubts about his fitness and a lack of match practice.
The 30-year-old injured his shoulder during the Pakistan Super League in February and is set to play in the second Twenty20 international at Birmingham on Saturday, his first game since his recovery.
The Pakistan Cricket Board’s selection committee said Rauf is fit and eager to play.
“Rauf is completely healthy and is bowling well in the nets,” a PCB statement said.
“It would have been nice to have him play in the first game at Headingley but we are confident he will continue to perform well in the upcoming games.”
The match between Pakistan and England at Headingley was cancelled due to rain.
Pakistan have been working on their lineup since playing out a 2-2 draw at home to New Zealand last month and have announced their 20th and final squad.
Pakistan announces squad for ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024
Read more ➡️ https://t.co/CuJbxi7M3X#WeHave | #SupportTheGreenBoys
— PCB Media (@TheRealPCBMedia) May 24, 2024
The tournament will run from June 1st to June 29th.
The teams will be divided into four groups of five with the top two progressing to the Super Eight stage, with all matches to be played in the West Indies.
Pakistan’s Group A includes arch rivals India as well as Canada and Ireland.
Pakistan will face the United States in their first match on June 6 in Dallas.
Fast bowler Hasan Ali and batsmen Agha Salman and Mohammed Irfan Khan have been left out of the squad.
Mohammed Amir, the lone surviving fast bowler from Pakistan’s 2009 Twenty20 World Cup triumph, is staging a comeback after coming out of retirement two months ago.
He is part of a potent pace attack spearheaded by Shaheen Shah Afridi, Rauf, Naseem Shah and Abbas Afridi.
Pakistan lost the semi-final of the 2021 Twenty20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates and the 2022 final in Australia.
Pakistan team: Babar Azam (captain), Mohammed Rizwan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Usman Khan, Azam Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan, Mohammed Amir, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Abbas Afridi, Haris Rauf and Abrar Ahmed.
