*PCB Unveils 15-Player Squad for Upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in USA and Caribbean*
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has announced a 15-player squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to take place in the USA and Caribbean from 1-29 June. The squad, led by star batsman Babar Azam, features a blend of seasoned players and promising newcomers.
### Squad Details
The squad, listed in alphabetical order, includes:
– Babar Azam (captain)
– Abrar Ahmed
– Azam Khan
– Fakhar Zaman
– Haris Rauf
– Iftikhar Ahmed
– Imad Wasim
– Mohammad Abbas Afridi
– Mohammad Amir
– Mohammad Rizwan
– Naseem Shah
– Saim Ayub
– Shadab Khan
– Shaheen Shah Afridi
– Usman Khan
Notably, there are no reserves announced for this tournament. The selection committee meeting, which took place on Friday afternoon UK time, was attended by Abdul Razzaq, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Bilal Afzal, Gary Kirsten, Mohammad Yousuf, and Wahab Riaz.
### New Faces and Comebacks
This squad sees five players – Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Saim Ayub, and Usman Khan – making their debut appearances in a T20 World Cup. Veteran players Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim return to the squad, having last played in the 2016 and 2021 tournaments, respectively.
### Management and Support Staff
The player support personnel includes Wahab Riaz (senior team manager), Mansoor Rana (team manager), Gary Kirsten (head coach), Azhar Mahmood (assistant coach), Simon Helmot (fielding coach), David Reid (mental performance coach), Aftab Khan (high performance coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Irtaza Komail (chief security officer), Mohammad Imran (masseur), Mohammad Khurram Sarwar (team doctor), Talha Ijaz (analyst), Raza Kitchlew (media and digital manager), and Drikus Saaiman (strength and conditioning coach).
### Tournament Prospects
Pakistan has a distinguished history in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, having won the 2009 tournament and reached the finals in 2007 and 2022. The team is expected to perform well, given their mix of experienced players and fresh talent.
### Upcoming Fixtures
Pakistan’s schedule includes:
– 6 June – vs USA, Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium, Dallas
– 9 June – vs India, Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York
– 11 June – vs Canada, Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York
– 16 June – vs Ireland, Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium, Lauderhill, Florida
Should Pakistan advance to the Super Eight stage, they will face:
– 19 June – vs D1, Antigua
– 21 June – vs C2, Barbados
– 23 June – vs B1, Barbados
### Expectations
“This is an extremely talented and balanced side that has a mixture of youth and experience. These players have been playing together for some time and look well prepared and settled for next month’s event,” a PCB official stated. Emphasizing the fitness and form of key bowler Haris Rauf, they added confidence in the team’s prospects for the tournament.
Pakistan’s cricketing community eagerly anticipates the team’s performance as they aim to reclaim the T20 World Cup title and continue their legacy of strong performances on the international stage.
