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 T20 series loss in New Zealand last month.
Also out are Sohaib Maqsood, paceman Umar Gul and wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan. 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.
“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 T20 game. He scored 309 runs in Pakistan’s T20 tournament with a strike rate of 133 which earned him the place.
Rasheed said it was not as if Shehzad hasn’t been given a chance to show his worth.
“We gave Shahezad consistent chances. His confidence level is down after a run of poor form, which happens to players, so why not give a chance to someone else who is in good nick?” said Rasheed.
Left-arm paceman Rumman Raees and left-arm spinning all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz were also rewarded for their showings at domestic level.
The 21-year old Nawaz has taken eight wickets in four Pakistan Super League matches in Dubai and showed good form with the bat as well.
Also returned to the squad is lanky paceman Mohammad Irfan, rested for the T20 series in New Zealand, making a four-pronged pace attack with all left-handers, with the sole right arm bowler coming in the shape of medium pacer Anwar Ali.
The Asia Cup will be played from February 24-March 6 followed by the World T20 from March 8-April 3.
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
(Photo credit: PTI)