ICC Cricket World Cup 2021: Pakistan has announced its 15-member squad for the upcoming T20 WC. There are a few surprises in the squad as veteran players like Shoaib Malik and Sarfaraz Ahmed, who captained Pakistan in 2007 and 2016 T20 WCs respectively, did not get a chance in the squad. Babar Azam will lead the Pakistan team.
Pakistan team would be playing its first match against India in the T20 World Cup, scheduled for October 24. Apart from India, Pakistan will play New Zealand, Afghanistan and the other qualifying team in the group stages of the World Cup.
ICC has set a September 10 deadline for all countries to announce their teams for the 2021 T20 World Cup that is to be played in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Oman.
Pakistan squad for T20 World Cup 2021: Babar Azam (C), Shadab Khan, Asif Ali, Azam Khan (WK), Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Khushdil Shah, Mohammed Hafeez, Mohammed Hasnain, Mohammed Nawaz, Mohammed Rizwan, Mohammed Wasim, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sohaib Maqsood,
Reserves: Dahani, Usman Qadir & Fakhar Zaman.
Youngsters have been given a chance in the team. Former Pak wicket-keeper, Moin Khan's son - Azam Khan - is also included in the squad as a wicket-keeper. The same squad will be playing against New Zealand and England in the T20I series at home for Pakistan.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced the squad in a press conference:
Meanwhile, it is being reported that the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) could announce a 15-player Indian Cricket Team for the T20 World Cup on September 7 or 6 after the IND Vs ENG 4th Test match is completed.