The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced the return of Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Naseem Shah for the ODI and T20I series against Australia, while Mohammad Rizwan is rested from Zimbabwe’s T20Is. No captain has been named yet, with announcements expected later. Other significant selections include Mohammad Hasnain and Haseebullah Khan, while Shadab Khan has been dropped. The ODI series starts on November 4, marking Pakistan’s first ODI since last year’s World Cup.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced the return of prominent players Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, and Naseem Shah to the national team for the upcoming One Day International (ODI) and Twenty20 International (T20I) series against Australia scheduled for next month. These players were previously absent from Pakistan’s last two Tests against England but have regained their places in both formats of white-ball cricket. It is noteworthy, however, that none of these players will participate in the ODI or T20I series against Zimbabwe that follow immediately after the Australian series. The PCB has refrained from naming a captain in its announcement, indicating that PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi will reveal this information during a press conference later today. Mohammad Rizwan remains a strong candidate for captaincy across both formats; he will, however, not take part in the T20Is against Zimbabwe as he is being rested. Another potential candidate, Salman Ali Agha, has been featured in all four white-ball squads for the upcoming tours. Conversely, Fakhar Zaman and Imam-ul-Haq, who were overlooked for a central contract, have also not been included in any squads, although it is acknowledged that central contracts do not always reflect squad arrangements. Remarkably, Mohammad Hasnain, who did not secure a central contract, is included in all squads after earning recognition as Player of the Tournament in the Champions One-Day Cup. Shadab Khan has been excluded from the squad, making way for left-arm wrist spinner Sufiyan Muqeem, who has been included in both T20I squads, and off-spin allrounder Qasim Akram, who will travel to Zimbabwe. Wicketkeeper Mohammad Haris has seen a decline in his placement within the team and does not feature in any of the squads. Instead, Haseebullah Khan, who previously played in a solitary T20I in New Zealand in January, has been selected for all four tours. Saim Ayub, known for his power-hitting in T20 formats, has been sidelined from both T20I series following an extended period of poor performance, yet retains a spot in both ODI squads. The ODI series against Australia, set to commence on November 4, marks Pakistan’s first ODI assignment since the World Cup held in India the previous year. This series is an integral component of a busy 50-over schedule leading up to the Champions Trophy in February, which will be the first ICC event hosted by Pakistan since the 1996 World Cup. Following the series against Australia and Zimbabwe, Pakistan will engage in both ODI and T20I matches against South Africa, as well as a tri-series against New Zealand and South Africa in Multan prior to the Champions Trophy.
The announcement comes at a pivotal time for Pakistan cricket as they aim to rebuild and perform convincingly following their recent outings in international cricket, particularly after a significant hiatus between ODI matches. The series against Australia is not only crucial for team morale but also serves as a preparatory step toward the forthcoming Champions Trophy, increasing the stakes for player selection and performance. The engaging dynamics surrounding player contracts and selection also reflect ongoing adjustments within the PCB as they assess player contributions and capabilities. With a focus on both developing talent and retaining experienced players, leadership choices are expected to play a significant role in the team’s future successes. Moreover, the inclusion and exclusion of players in the announced squads indicate a careful strategy by the PCB to balance experience with emerging talent, setting the stage for competitive international fixtures. The evolving criteria for selection highlight the PCB’s intent to reward performance while also strategically planning for future tournaments.
In conclusion, the Pakistan Cricket Board has made significant strides in assembling competitive teams for the upcoming tours in Australia and Zimbabwe. The return of key players and the strategic selection of emerging talent underscore the PCB’s commitment to enhancing the performance of the national team. As the fixtures ahead promise to be grueling, the spotlight will be on the leadership selections and the overall team dynamics as they prepare for a busy international schedule. The performance during these series will undoubtedly influence Pakistan’s standing heading towards the Champions Trophy.
Original Source: www.espncricinfo.com
