Former Pakistan captain Babar Azam has been omitted from the national team’s squads for the upcoming T20 and ODI series against Zimbabwe, as the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) adopts a strategy focused on player rotation and the integration of emerging domestic talent.
In addition to Azam, key players including pacers Shaheen Shah Afridi and Naseem Shah will also miss the tour. Wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan will sit out the T20I matches. The PCB has yet to announce a new captain for the white-ball formats, leaving fans and analysts speculating about the leadership direction.
The selectors have introduced several new faces to the squad, including Arafat Minhas, Omair Bin Yousuf, Sufiyan Muqeem, Faisal Akram, Ahmed Daniyal, and Jahandad Khan. Notably, pacer Mohammad Hasnain returns to the ODI squad after more than a year, following a successful performance in the recent Champions Cup where he claimed 17 wickets.
The PCB emphasized that this selection approach aligns with their broader strategy in preparation for the ICC Champions Trophy and future tournaments. “This approach follows the selectors’ rotation policy and provides opportunities to domestic performers,” a PCB statement noted.
In a significant shift, the PCB has demoted Shaheen Afridi from Category B to Category A and has not extended contracts to several senior players, including Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, and Osama Mir.
Pakistan T20 Squad for Zimbabwe Series
Ahmed Daniyal, Arafat Minhas, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (wk), Jahandad Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Hasnain, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Omair bin Yousuf, Qasim Akram, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha, Sufyan Muqim, Tayyab Tahir, Usman Khan.
Pakistan ODI Squad for Zimbabwe Series
Aamir Jamal, Abdullah Shafique, Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Faisal Akram, Haris Rauf, Haseebullah (wk), Kamran Ghulam, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Muhammad Irfan Khan, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shahnawaz Dahani, Tayyab Tahir.
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