Pakistan, the runners-up of the last tournament, have announced their squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024.
The Pakistan Cricket Board has announced its 15-player squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, which will take place in the USA and the Caribbean from June 1 to 29. The team will be captained by Babar Azam.
Squad (in A-Z order):
- Babar Azam (captain)
- Abrar Ahmed
- Azam Khan
- Fakhar Zaman
- Haris Rauf
- Iftikhar Ahmed
- Imad Wasim
- Mohammad Abbas Afridi
- Mohammad Amir
- Mohammad Rizwan
- Naseem Shah
- Saim Ayub
- Shadab Khan
- Shaheen Shah Afridi
- Usman Khan
The team was confirmed on Friday afternoon (UK time) after a two-hour selection committee meeting attended by Abdul Razzaq, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Bilal Afzal, Gary Kirsten, Mohammad Yousuf, and Wahab Riaz.
Among the 15 players, Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Saim Ayub, and Usman Khan have been selected for their first T20 World Cup. Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim are making a return after last appearing in the 2016 and 2021 tournaments, respectively. The remaining eight players were part of the 2022 event in Australia.
“This is an extremely talented and balanced side with a blend of youth and experience. These players have been playing together for some time and appear well-prepared and settled for next month’s event.
“Haris Rauf is fully fit and bowling well in the nets. Although it would have been beneficial for him to play at Headingley, we are confident that he will continue to progress in the upcoming matches. He, along with other strike bowlers, will have a crucial role in the T20 World Cup.”
Pakistan boasts one of the most impressive records in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup since its inception in 2007 in South Africa. The team won the 2009 event under Younis Khan and reached the finals under Shoaib Malik (2007) and Babar Azam (2022). Additionally, Pakistan reached the semi-finals in 2010, 2012, and 2021.
Player Support Personnel:
- Wahab Riaz: Senior Team Manager
- Mansoor Rana: Team Manager
- Gary Kirsten: Head Coach
- Azhar Mahmood: Assistant Coach
- Simon Helmot: Fielding Coach
- David Reid: Mental Performance Coach
- Aftab Khan: High Performance Coach
- Cliffe Deacon: Physiotherapist
- Irtaza Komail: Chief Security Officer
- Mohammad Imran: Masseur
- Mohammad Khurram Sarwar: Team Doctor
- Talha Ijaz: Analyst
- Raza Kitchlew: Media and Digital Manager
- Drikus Saaiman: Strength and Conditioning Coach
The squad was finalized on Friday afternoon (UK time) after a two-hour selection committee meeting attended by Abdul Razzaq, Asad Shafiq, Babar Azam, Bilal Afzal, Gary Kirsten, Mohammad Yousuf, and Wahab Riaz.
Squad Highlights:
- Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Saim Ayub, and Usman Khan will make their T20 World Cup debut.
- Mohammad Amir and Imad Wasim return after last playing in the 2016 and 2021 tournaments, respectively.
- The remaining eight players participated in the 2022 event in Australia.
Statement:
“This squad is a talented and balanced mix of youth and experience. The players have been playing together for a while and are well-prepared for the upcoming event.
Haris Rauf is fully fit and performing well in the nets. While it would have been beneficial for him to play at Headingley, we are confident in his upward trajectory and his crucial role in the T20 World Cup.”
Pakistan’s T20 World Cup Record:
- Winner in 2009 under Younis Khan
- Finalists in 2007 under Shoaib Malik and in 2022 under Babar Azam
- Reached the semifinals in 2010, 2012, and 2021
Pakistan’s Schedule:
- 6 June: vs USA, Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium, Dallas
- 9 June: vs India, Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York
- 11 June: vs Canada, Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, New York
- 16 June: vs Ireland, Central Broward Park & Broward County Stadium, Lauderhill, Florida
Super Eight Matches (If Qualified):
- 19 June: vs D1, Antigua
- 21 June: vs C2, Barbados
- 23 June: vs B1, location TBD
