By Zainab Shafiq 
Pakistan’s cricket selection committee has unveiled an 18-member squad for the recently concluded Ireland series and the upcoming England T20I series, marking a pivotal step in their preparations for the T20 World Cup 2024. However, Pakistan remains the only team yet to finalize its 15-member squad for the global tournament.
The 18-member squad will undergo a trimming process after the first T20I against England on May 22, with the final 15-member squad submission deadline set for May 24. Notably, players such as Haris Rauf, Usman Khan, Irfan Khan Niazi, Abrar Ahmed, and Salman Ali Agha did not feature in the Ireland series, while Hasan Ali’s performance fell short of expectations.
Haris Rauf, currently recuperating from an injury, faces a crucial fitness test to secure his spot in the World Cup squad, while Abrar Ahmed is speculated to be included in the final lineup. Agha Salman and Hasan Ali are anticipated to be named as reserve players, with either Irfan Khan Niazi or Usman Khan joining them as traveling reserves.
In Group A of the T20 World Cup, Pakistan will face off against India, Ireland, Canada, and the USA. The squad for the Ireland and England series includes Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Irfan Khan Niazi, Iftikhar Ahmad, Usman Khan, Azam Khan (wk), Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abbas Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, and Salman Ali Agha.
With matches against the USA, India, Canada, and Ireland on the T20 World Cup horizon, Pakistan’s final squad selection holds immense importance for their campaign’s success. The team’s management remains committed to ensuring all players are in peak condition as they gear up for the highly anticipated tournament, poised to make their mark on the global stage.
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