Babar Azam to lead Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2024

The 15-member squad will be led by Babar Azam who returned to take over the limited-overs captaincy from Shaheen Afridi who led the team against New Zealand.

Advertisement

The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced Pakistan’s squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 scheduled to be held in the USA and West Indies in June. The 15-member squad will be led by Babar Azam who returned to take over the limited-overs captaincy from Shaheen Afridi who led the team in the away series against New Zealand earlier this year. The Men in Green have compiled a strong squad that comprises the likes of young and experienced players including captain Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, young opener Saim Ayub who had a magnificent PSL 2024 for the Peshawar Zalmi, Azam Khan, and Abbas Afridi who impressed everyone with his ability to bowl with the new ball and in the death overs.

The Inclusions

Other notable inclusions include that of experienced pacer Mohammad Amir who made a comeback in the team for the first time since 2021 in the series against New Zealand. Like Amir, spin-bowling all-rounder Imad Wasim also finds a place in the squad. Imad’s inclusion provides much-needed strength to Pakistan’s spin bowling department which also includes Shadab Khan and Abrar Ahmed.

Advertisement

The Pacers

As far as Pakistan’s fast bowling department is concerned the onus will be on the trio of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf along with Mohammed Amir, and Abbas Afridi both of whom had a memorable PSL 2024. The trio of Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah, and Haris Rauf has been an integral part of Pakistan’s white ball setup since 2022. Having said that only Afridi and Shah have been able to deliver for the team on a consistent basis whereas Haris Rauf has been hot and cold with his performances in both ODI and T20.

Also Read: The Top Five Cricket Kit Manufacturers In Pakistan

The Batters

If we talk about Pakistan’s batting department it comprises a good blend of young and attacking batters like Azam Khan and Saim Ayub at the hem along with the experience of Babar Azam, Mohammad Rizwan, Fakhar Zaman, and Iftikhar Ahmed.

Also Read: Three Formerly Dominant Cricket Teams Now Facing Challenges

The Performances

Although Pakistan has announced a balanced squad for the T20 World Cup the Babar Azam-led side’s performance hasn’t been as per expectations in the recent past. With a drawn series against an inexperienced New Zealand side and a T20I loss against Ireland in the three-match T20I series, the preparation hasn’t been ideal for the 2009 champions.

Pakistan’s squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup

Babar Azam (capt), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Fakhar Zaman, Azam Khan (wk), Usman Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shadab Khan, Mohammad Amir, Abbas Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abrar Ahmed.