Pakistan announces strong ODI and T20I squads to face Australia

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Thursday announced their men’s squad for the upcoming white-ball series against Australia. The uncapped pair of Asif Afridi and Mohammad Haris were named in the 20-player ODI squad, and were also picked in a reduced 17-man T20I, with both teams set to be led by Babar Azam.

Haris, 20, was among the breakout stars of PSL 2022, smashing 166 runs in five innings at an average of 33.20 and a strike rate of over 185 for Peshawar Zalmi.

Afridi, too, has been rewarded for impressive performance in the PSL. The 35-year-old took eight wickets in five matches at an economy rate of 6.52 for Multan Sultans. He has been picked in the national team as a cover for the first-choice spinner Mohammad Nawaz who missed a part of the PSL due to foot injury.

“I want to congratulate Asif and Haris on their inclusions in squads for the Australia series,” Muhammad Wasim, Chairman of selectors, said in the official statement.

“This is a reward for their hard work and consistent performances in the domestic circuit.

“Their selections are also a message for all domestic players that their performances are being followed and whenever an opportunity arises, they will be rewarded with a national team call-up,” he added.

ODI and T20I fixtures

• First ODI – March 29, Rawalpindi
• Second ODI – March 31, Rawalpindi
• Third ODI – April 02, Rawalpindi
• One-off T20I – April 05, Rawalpindi

Pakistan ODI squad

Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Abdullah Shafique, Asif Afridi, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imam-Ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Saud Shakeel, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman Qadir

Pakistan T20I squad

Babar Azam (c), Shadab Khan, Asif Afridi, Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Haris, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Usman Qadir

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March 18, 2022 at 09:49AM