LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Wednesday announced a 16-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, marking a fresh start under new head coach Mike Hesson.
Salman Ali Agha will lead the team as captain, with Shadab Khan as his deputy. Squad selection is based on standout performances in the ongoing PSL X, which concludes on May 25.
The squad welcomes back experienced players Hasan Ali, Fakhar Zaman, and Saim Ayub. All-rounders Faheem Ashraf, Hussain Talat, and wicketkeeper-batter Sahibzada Farhan also return, while fast bowlers Mohammad Wasim Jr and Naseem Shah fight their way back into the setup.
In a surprising shakeup, star fast bowler Shaheen Shah Afridi, recently part of the New Zealand tour, is dropped. Former captain Babar Azam and senior wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan are once again excluded. Other players left out include Abbas Afridi, Abdul Samad, Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Ali, Umair bin Yousuf, Sufyan Muqeem, and Usman Khan.
Pakistan’s 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.
This series will be Mike Hesson’s first test as head coach, with high hopes pinned on a fresh, competitive Pakistan side.
