The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the national squad for the upcoming tri-nation series in the UAE and the Asia Cup, with the biggest surprise being the exclusion of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.
At a press conference in Lahore, Head Coach and High-Performance Director Mike Hesson, along with Chief Selector Aaqib Javed, revealed that Salman Ali Agha will once again lead the side.
The 17-member squad includes Fakhar Zaman, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, Saim Ayub, Khushdil Shah, Hussain Talat, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Wasim Jr., and Mohammad Haris. In addition, Abrar Ahmed, Faheem Ashraf, Hasan Ali, Hasan Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Mirza, and Sufiyan Muqeem have also been named in the team.
Aaqib Javed stated that selection is based purely on performance and that the doors remain open for Babar and Rizwan’s return. He added that Fakhar Zaman’s brilliant form and the performances of youngsters like Saim Ayub were key factors in the selection.
Head Coach Mike Hesson noted that the team has shown greater consistency in the T20 format, winning six of their last nine matches. “Our focus is entirely on victory,” he emphasized.
The tri-nation series between Pakistan, Afghanistan, and the UAE will be held in Sharjah from August 29 to September 7, while the Asia Cup will take place in Dubai and Abu Dhabi from September 9 to 28.
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