Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali and Sarfaraz Ahmed have been named in the updated Pakistan squad for the T20 World Cup. The squad that was announced earlier was not appreciated by all and many experts slammed the PCB for selecting players who had not done anything to bag a spot in the T20 World Cup squad.

Meanwhile, Khushdil Shah, Azam Khan and Mohammad Hasnain, who were earlier included in the squad, were left out. Khushdil Shah, however, will travel to UAE as a reserve player. PCB chief selector Muhammad Wasim revealed they reviewed the performances of the players in the National T20 Cup after which the decision to modify the squad was taken. Get free cricket betting tips and prediction.

“After reviewing player performances in the highly competitive National T20 and in consultation with the team management, we have decided to include Haider Ali, Fakhar Zaman and Sarfaraz Ahmed in the squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021. “The three in-form players bring with them a wealth of experience and talent and provide further stability, balance and strength to the side.

“I am pleased with the intensity and high quality of cricket that we have witnessed in the National T20. It has not only provided the players excellent match practice in the lead up to the UAE competition, it has also given us the opportunity to closely monitor the player progress and then make decisions that are in the best interest of the side for what will be a cut-throat tournament,” added Wasim. 

Wasim admitted that players who have been left out will be disappointed with their omission but said they will get enough opportunities in future to grab a spot in the T20 World Cup squad for the next World Cup in Australia in 2022. “It must be tough for Azam, Khushdil and Hasnain for missing out but they still have a lot to offer in their careers. They are in our future plans as a lot of cricket has to be played post the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 and in the lead up to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia.

Squad: Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sohaib Maqsood.

Traveling reserves: Khushdil Shah, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman Qadir. 

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