Pakistan has announced their 18-man squad for the upcoming seven T20Is during their expedition of Ireland and England. Pacer Hasan Ali makes a return to the squad after his last T20I appearance for Pakistan in September 2022. Joining him is Salman Ali Agha, a 30-year-old off spinning allrounder who is yet to play in the T20I format.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) has revealed that the World Cup squad will be selected from these 18 players and announced after the first T20I against England, scheduled for May 22. This decision aligns with the ICC deadline of May 24.

Also making a comeback to the squad are the fit-again Haris Rauf and Azam Khan, who were absent during the recent T20I series against New Zealand. However, there’s no place for wrist spinner Usama Mir and pacer Zaman Khan in the squad.

“Crafting this squad was a challenging task…”

Hasan Ali’s inclusion comes on the back of his impressive performances in the Pakistan Super League, where he picked 14 wickets, matching the performances of Shadab Khan and Shaheen Afridi in the season.

“Crafting this squad was a challenging task due to the outstanding talent available. After thorough deliberation and considering various cricketing aspects, we have finalised these 18 players,” PCB Added.

Salman’s selection is based on his spin-bowling abilities, which could be crucial on slow pitches in the Caribbean and the USA. He will join Abrar Ahmed, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, and Shadab Khan in the spin department.

Pakistan makes strong team with wise selection

Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim, who were recalled for the recent home series against New Zealand, have retained their spots in the squad. They will aim to deliver strong performances in the four T20Is before the final squad of 15 is decided.

PCB continued, “The squad encompasses a robust top-order featuring Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, Saim Ayub, and Usman Khan; an effective middle-order with Azam Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed and Muhammad Irfan Khan; versatile all-rounders in Imad Wasim, Shadab Khan and Salman Ali Agha; a pace battery led by Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi; and the spin prowess of Abrar Ahmed.

“We understand Usama and Zaman will be disappointed and they should be as they must be looking ahead to the tours of Ireland and England. They are quality cricketers and have long careers ahead of them. They need to continue to focus on their cricket so that they are available, if required.”

The team is scheduled to depart for Dublin on May 7, following a three-day training camp in Lahore from May 4 to May 6.

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Squad Update: Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Muhammad Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan

Pakistan’s seamer, Hasan Ali, stands out as one of the most lighthearted and entertaining characters within the team, consistently injecting a playful spirit into his on-field presence. This characteristic was vividly showcased during the third day of the Boxing Day Test against Australia. As Hasan Ali patrolled the boundary during the 53rd over bowled by Aamer Jamal, he spontaneously broke into dance moves, prompting the crowd to groove along with him, creating a lively and memorable moment.

The incident unfolded amid a backdrop of competitive cricket during the crucial Boxing Day Test. Ali’s impromptu dance moves, however, added a touch of exuberance to the game. The 53rd over, delivered by Aamer Jamal, became a stage for Ali’s spontaneous performance, drawing in the spectators who enthusiastically joined the impromptu dance session. The video of this joyous episode, shared by Cricket Australia on X, swiftly gained widespread attention, turning into a viral sensation.

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Notably, even Australian batsman Steve Smith couldn’t resist the infectious energy, and he was caught on camera with a grin, acknowledging and appreciating Hasan Ali’s entertaining antics. This instance not only added a light-hearted element to the competitive match but also exemplified the camaraderie and shared enjoyment between players and fans on the cricket field.