Table of Contents
On Wednesday, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) unveiled a 16-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh, which will be held at Lahore’s iconic Gaddafi Stadium. The series schedule is yet to be confirmed, but this will mark the beginning of a new chapter for the national team under the leadership of newly appointed head coach Mike Hesson.
Squad Leadership and Key Players
Salman Ali Agha will captain the side, while Shadab Khan has been named as his vice-captain. The squad was selected based on the players’ performances in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) X, which is set to conclude on May 25. The inclusion of players who have been performing well in the PSL suggests the PCB’s intent to rely on current form for this series.
Google Unveils New AI-Driven Search Features Amid Concerns Over Advertising Revenue
Notable Returns and Exclusions
Among the most notable returns to the squad are seasoned players such as Hasan Ali, Fakhar Zaman, and Saim Ayub. These experienced campaigners are expected to add depth and stability to the squad. All-rounders Faheem Ashraf and Hussain Talat, along with wicketkeeper-batter Sahibzada Farhan, have also made their way back into the team. Fast bowlers Mohammad Wasim Jr. and Naseem Shah have been included in the lineup as well, having impressed with their performances in domestic and T20 leagues.
However, the squad also sees the exclusion of some major names. Fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi, who was part of the T20I squad during the recent tour to New Zealand, has been left out. Additionally, former captain Babar Azam and senior wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan have been overlooked again by the selectors, raising questions about their future with the T20I setup.
Several other players, including Abbas Afridi, Abdul Samad, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Ali, Umair bin Yousuf, Sufyan Muqeem, and Usman Khan, have also been dropped from the squad.
Full Squad:
- Salman Ali Agha (Captain)
- Shadab Khan (Vice-Captain)
- Abrar Ahmed
- Faheem Ashraf
- Fakhar Zaman
- Haris Rauf
- Hasan Ali
- Hassan Nawaz
- Hussain Talat
- Irfan Khan Niazi
- Khushdil Shah
- Mohammad Haris (Wicketkeeper)
- Mohammad Wasim Jr.
- Naseem Shah
- Sahibzada Farhan (Wicketkeeper)
- Saim Ayub
A New Era Under Mike Hesson
This will also be the first series under the leadership of newly appointed head coach Mike Hesson, who replaced former coach Saqlain Mushtaq earlier this year. Hesson, a former New Zealand coach, brings a wealth of experience and a fresh approach to the team, and his strategies will likely play a significant role in shaping Pakistan’s T20I future.
With the PSL X in full swing, the PCB has placed considerable emphasis on selecting players who are in good form, and the absence of a few big names like Babar Azam and Shaheen Afridi could indicate a shift in the selection policy towards more form-based selections.
Looking Ahead
As Pakistan gears up for the series against Bangladesh, all eyes will be on how the team performs under the new leadership of Salman Ali Agha and Mike Hesson. The squad appears well-balanced, with a mixture of youth and experience, but the notable exclusions have already sparked conversation about the future of Pakistan’s top players in the T20I format.
The series against Bangladesh will provide an opportunity for several players to cement their place in the national setup, with an eye on future tournaments and bilateral series.
