• By Ankit Bisht
  • Thu, 02 May 2024 01:53 PM (IST)
  • Source:JND

Pakistan have recalled pacer Haris Rauf and all-rounders Hasan Ali and Salman Ali Agha for the upcoming T20Is against Ireland and England ahead of the T20 World Cup 2024, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced on Thursday.

Spinner Usama Mir and pacer Zaman Khan have been dropped from the squad that last played in the five-match home T20I series against New Zealand in April.

PCB has informed that the 18-member squad will be truncated to 15 for the T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the USA after the first T20I at Leeds on 22 May to meet the ICC’s May 24 deadline for squad announcement.

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Rauf and wicketkeeper Azam Khan missed the New Zealand series due to injuries while middle-order batter Muhammad Irfan Khan and wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan were rested from the two T20Is in Lahore due to niggles.

"The four cricketers underwent fitness assessments at the National Cricket Academy on Tuesday afternoon, showing significant improvement. This progress has provided confidence and encouragement to the PCB Medical Panel and the team management regarding their potential availability during the seven T20Is," PCB said in a statement.

Pakistan are scheduled to play three T20Is against Ireland from May 10 before moving to England for four T20Is from May 22.

“The squad encompasses a robust top-order featuring Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, and Usman Khan; an effective middle-order with Azam Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed and Muhammad Irfan Khan; versatile all-rounders in Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan and Salman Ali Agha; a pace battery led by Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi; and the spin prowess of Abrar Ahmed," Pakistan men's selection committee said.

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Pakistan squad for T20Is against Ireland, England: Babar Azam (Captain), Muhammad Rizwan, Azam Khan, Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Irfan Khan Niazi, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Haris Rauf, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Muhammad Amir, Imad Wasim, Naseem Shah, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan, Abbas Afridi and Agha Ali Salman.

The team is scheduled to depart for Dublin on May 7 following a three-day training camp in Lahore from May 4-6.