Pakistan squad for Ireland and England tours announced
On the Pakistan Cricket Board on May 2 has announced the Pakistan squad for the Ireland and England tours starting on May 10 and ending on 30 May just two days before the T20i World Cup kicks off on June 1st
The squad currently consists of 18 members but it will be reduced to 15 players for the T20 World Cup next month.
The men’s nation selection committee has called back fast bowler Haris Rauf who had been absent in the Pak vs NZ series due to a shoulder injury he sustained during the PSL.
Champions Trophy 2017 hero, Hasan Ali has also been included in the squad.
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Pakistan will take much of the same squad on the tour except for two players; spinster Usama Mir and pacer Zaman Khan.
Salman Ali Agha has also made it into the final cut after he was included as a reserve player for the home series against New Zealand.
Wicket-keeper-batsman Muhammad Rizwan has also made it into the squad after suffering from a hamstring injury during the New Zealand series.
Speculations were being made that Rizwan will not be fit in time for the World Cup let alone Ireland and England’s tour. Team captain Babar Azam squashed the rumors in a press conference.
Azam Khan also returns to the team after he was rested in the New Zealand series due to an injury in his right leg.
The newly appointed head coach Gary Kirsten will join the team in Ireland and will coach the team into the upcoming T20 World Cup in June.
The Pakistani team recently hosted New Zealand for five T20I matches and only won two with the first match being washed out due to rain. The series ended in a 2-2 draw.
The same series was Babar Azam’s first stint after returning as the team’s captain.
Pakistan Squad for Ireland and England tours:
Babar Azam (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan.
The Pakistani squad will face Ireland in three T20Is and will play four T20Is against England.
