The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday announced a 15-member squad for the upcoming three-match T20 International series against Bangladesh, scheduled to commence from July 20 in Dhaka.
All-rounder Salman Ali Agha will lead the side in the absence of regular T20I skipper Babar Azam, while Shadab Khan and Haris Rauf have been sidelined due to injuries.
Shadab, who had been struggling with a persistent shoulder issue, recently underwent successful surgery in the United Kingdom. His rehabilitation process is expected to take several weeks. Fast bowler Haris Rauf, meanwhile, has been ruled out after suffering a Grade 1 hamstring injury during a Major League Cricket (MLC) fixture in the United States, where he was representing the San Francisco Unicorns.
Promising pacer Salman Mirza, who caught the selectors’ attention with a notable performance for Lahore Qalandars in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 9, has been drafted into the national squad. The right-arm pacer picked up nine wickets in four matches at an average of 15.00 and an economy rate of 9.64.
The squad also includes left-handed opener Saim Ayub, middle-order batter Khushdil Shah, and spin duo Mohammad Nawaz and Abrar Ahmed, offering a balanced blend of youth and experience.
The Pakistan team is set to arrive in Bangladesh on July 16, with all three T20Is to be played at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka on July 20, 22 and 24, respectively.
Pakistan had previously hosted Bangladesh in May this year, securing a 3-0 clean sweep in the T20I series.
Pakistan squad for Bangladesh T20I series:
Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, Sufyan Moqim
Series schedule:
- July 20 – 1st T20I at Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, Dhaka (6pm local time)
- July 22 – 2nd T20I at Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, Dhaka (6pm local time)
- July 24 – 3rd T20I at Sher-e-Bangla Stadium, Dhaka (6pm local time)