Pakistan recall Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali for UK tour as T20 WC squad announcement looms

Pakistan has named seamers Haris Rauf and Hasan Ali in the 18-man squad for the Ireland and England T20Is starting May 10. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said they will announce the final 15 for the 2024 T20 World Cup among these chosen 18 players before May 24 (the deadline). Besides these two pacers, keeper-batter Azam Khan and all-rounder Salman Agha also got picked.

Pakistan will play seven T20Is in the UK, three against Ireland and four against England, before leaving for the Caribbean and the USA for the 20-team tournament.

While returneesMohammad Amir and Imad Wasim retained their places for the UK tour, Pakistan dropped spinner Usama Mir and seamer Zaman Khan.

ALSO READ:BCCI to offer Mayank Yadav a pace-bowling contract as LSG seamer set to miss IPL 2024 with injury

Meanwhile, Hasan Ali, who last played a T20I two years ago in 2022, has beenrecalled for his star performances in PSL 2024, where he picked 14 wickets, at par with Shadab Khan and Shaheen Afridi. Rauf,dropped for the home T20I series against New Zealand, returns as PCB seeks to name the best 15 for the marquee event.

Maintaing balance is key

Considering the slow nature of the pitches in the West Indies and the USA, Pakistan wishes to keep its hands full in the spin-bowling department, with the inclusion of Salman Agha. The 30-year-old will pair up with Abrar Ahmed, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim and Shadab Khan in the squad, fighting for a spot in the final 15 for the T20 World Cup.

"Crafting this squad wasachallengingtaskdue to the outstanding talent available.After thorough deliberation and considering various cricketing aspects, we have finalised these 18 players,"the PCB said in a statement.

"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,”it concluded.

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