Pakistan have made four changes to their squad for this month’s Asia Cup followed by the World Twenty20 including the axing of struggling opener Ahmed Shehzad after a poor run of form.
The 24-year-old Shehzad managed just 33 runs in Pakistan‘s 2-1 Twenty20 series loss in New Zealand last month and is one of four changes selectors made from the last tour.
Also out are Sohaib Maqsood, paceman Umar Gul and wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan as chief selector Haroon Rasheed said the squad was selected after considering the conditions in Asia Cup hosts Bangladesh and India, where the World Twenty20 will be staged.
Squad
Shahid Afridi (capt)
Mohammad Hafeez
Shoaib Malik
Umar Akmal
Sarfraz Ahmed
Babar Azam
Iftikhar Ahmed
Imad Wasim
Anwar Ali
Mohammad Irfan
Wahab Riaz
Mohammad Amir
Mohammad Nawaz
Khurram Manzoor
Rumman Raees
“While picking the squad, the team management and skipper were consulted by the selectors, and all concerned gave their consent in this regard,” Rasheed said.
“The T20 team has been selected keeping in mind the conditions and the recent performances of some players in domestic and A team tours. The team is a fine blend of experience and youth and the selectors believe that team will do well in both tournaments.”
Shehzad’s place goes to 29-year-old Khurram Manzoor who had played 16 Tests and seven one-day internationals for Pakistan but has never featured in a Twenty20 game.
He scored 309 runs in Pakistan‘s Twenty20 tournament with a strike rate of 133 which earned him the place.
The Asia Cup will be played from February 24-March 6 followed by the World Twenty20 from March 8-April 3.
The PCB had to announce the squad two days ago when the International Cricket Council deadline ended, however the cricket board took a little more time to finalize the 15 players.
According to reports, there were differences between the coach and the selection committee over some players including Muhammad Irfan. Waqar wanted Irfan to be in the T20 squad, however, selection committee was not agreeing with the head coach’s demand.
