Babar Azam continues his tenure as captain for the third consecutive time at the T20 World Cup 2024. Pakistan’s 15-member squad for the tournament, held in the USA and the Caribbean, features a notable absence of a vice-captain and traveling reserves.
Surprise exclusions from the squad include Hasan Ali, Irfan Khan, and Agha Salman. The final squad includes five specialist fast bowlers, indicating a pace-heavy strategy for Pakistan.
Imad Wasim, who returned from retirement for the tournament, provides the left-arm spin option, while Abrar Ahmed is the sole specialist legspinner in the squad.
Key Squad Members
- Babar Azam (capt): Continues leadership role, providing stability and experience at the helm.
- Imad Wasim: Returns from retirement to bolster Pakistan’s spin department with his left-arm spin.
- Abrar Ahmed: Sole specialist legspinner in the squad, adding variety to the bowling attack.
- Shaheen Shah Afridi: Key pace spearhead, expected to lead the fast bowling unit.
- Mohammad Rizwan (wk): Vital wicketkeeper-batsman, providing solidity in the batting lineup.
Surprise Exclusions
- Hasan Ali: Despite recent performances, misses out on selection.
- Irfan Khan and Agha Salman: Unexpected omissions from the squad.
Strategic Focus
- Pace-Heavy Approach: Pakistan opts for a pace-heavy strategy, banking on their fast bowlers to make an impact.
- Variety in Bowling: While the emphasis is on pace, the inclusion of Imad Wasim and Abrar Ahmed adds variety to the bowling attack.
- Captain’s Role: Babar Azam’s leadership will be crucial in guiding the team through the tournament’s challenges.
Pakistan squad’s
- Babar Azam (capt), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Azam Khan (wk), Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Abbas Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed
With a blend of experience and emerging talent, Pakistan aims to make a strong impression at the T20 World Cup 2024, banking on their potent bowling attack and Babar Azam’s captaincy prowess.