Hyderabad: Star batter Babar Azam returned as captain after the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024 which will be held in the Caribbean Islands and Americas, starting from June 2.
The left-arm pacer Mohammed Amir and all-rounder Imad Wasim, who had announced their retirement from international cricket, made a comeback into the national side while eight members of the 2022 World Cup squad have been retained for the T20I showpiece. Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim's form will be vital for Pakistan as they bring huge experience of playing T20 cricket. They have also represented their side in the 2016 and 2021 T20 World Cup.
All-rounder Salman Ali Agha and speedster Muhammad Irfan Khan, who were part of the 18-member squad for the series against Ireland and England, failed to find a place in the lineup. Spinner Abrar Ahmed, wicketkeeper-batter Azam Khan, pacer Mohammad Abbas Afridi, southpaw opener Saim Ayub, and Usman Khan are among the 15 players who will feature in their first T20 World Cup.
"This is an extremely talented and balanced side that has a mixture of youth and experience. These players have been playing together for some time and look well prepared and settled for next month's event," PCB said in its statement.
Haris Rauf, who plays for Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League, returned to the squad after recovering from an injury that he sustained in February. Hasan Ali, who had been called up for the Ireland tour before the World Cup, was removed.