The 2024 edition of the Pakistan Super League came to an exciting end on March 18 as Shadab Khan’s Islamabad United defeated Mohammed Rizwan’s Multan Sultans by two wickets, and the game was a last-ball thriller. With PSL 2024 done and dusted, the focus now shifts to the preparations of Pakistan for the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup in June.
Before the commencement of the 2024 T20 World Cup on June 2, the Pakistan national cricket team will play a total of 10 T20 international matches against England and New Zealand. The matches against these two world-class teams will prove to be really important in terms of finalizing the Pakistan 2024 T20 World Cup squad. The Shaheen have failed to lift the T20 World Cup trophy since their famous win in 2009, and they would be looking to go one step ahead this time around as they finished as the runners-up in 2022.
All the participating nations must submit their 15-member squad by the last week of April, as the tournament is scheduled to start in June. This article will provide you with information regarding Pakistan’s predicted 15-member squad for the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup.
Pakistan‘s last T20 World Cup campaign was full of ups and downs, as they lost against Zimbabwe and India in the group stage games, before going on to win three games on the trot, which allowed them to qualify for the semi-finals. They defeated Kane Williamson-led New Zealand in the semis but fell short against Jos Buttler’s England by five wickets in the final.
Since their defeat against England in the final of the 2022 T20 World Cup, the Shaheens have gone on to play 16 T20 International games, but the upcoming 10 T20 International matches will decide the fate of some players. The likes of Babar Azam, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammed Rizwan, Shadab Khan and Naseem Shah are pretty much confirmed to board Pakistan‘s flight to the West Indies and USA for this year’s World Cup. Beyond these five names, not a lot of players are considered to have their spots fixed for the 2024 T20 World Cup but Fakhar Zaman and Iftikhar Ahmed are likely to be picked.
A lot of news has surrounded Pakistan Cricket these days as some players have decided to reverse their retirements. Spin bowling All – Rounder Imad Wasim, who had a pretty good PSL 2024 on March 23, announced his decision to come out of retirement and made himself available for Pakistan for the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup. He retired from International Cricket in November 2023 but Shaheen Shah Afridi convinced him to come out of retirement.
WATCH: Pakistan started 2024 T20 World Cup preparation in Army-Style
“He (Shaheen Shah Afridi) called me after I decided to retire but I told that we will talk about this after the end of PSL 2024”, Imad Wasim said.
“I am delighted to announce that, following my meeting with Pakistan Cricket Board officials, I have reconsidered my decision to retire and am happy to declare my availability for Pakistan for the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup.I would like to thank the Pakistan Cricket Board for reposing trust in me and I will give my best to bring success for my country. Pakistan comes first for me!” Imad Wasim wrote on his X handle.
Former Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi wanted seamer Mohammad Amir to reverse his retirement decision and play in the upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup, and his wish has been granted as Mohammed Amir decided to come out of retirement on March 24 and made himself available for selection for the 2024 T20 World Cup.
“I still dream to play cricket for Pakistan. Some positive discussions took place between the Pakistan Cricket Board officials and myself, and they made me feel that Pakistan Cricket needs me and that I can still play cricket for Pakistan.” Amir wrote on his X handle.
Mohammed Amir was in fabulous form in the recently concluded PSL 2024. Given the form he is in and the experience he carries, it’s almost certain that he will be picked in Pakistan’s 15-member squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup. It will be a joy for the Pakistani fans to witness the trio of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammed Amir, and Naseem Shah handing the pace bowling unit of the Shaheens in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
The upcoming ten T20 international matches will be really important for the likes of Azam Khan, Saim Ayub, and Mohammed Haris as some good innings and a good wicket-taking spell can help these players secure their spots in the Pakistan World Cup squad.
Last month, the central contract of pacer Haris Rauf was terminated by the PCB due to his refusal to participate in Pakistan’s test series against Australia since the test matches clashed with the matches of the Big Bash League. But on March 24th, the PCB reinstated the central contract of the 30-year-old, meaning that Rauf will be available for selection for the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Recently, a UAE cricketer of Pakistani origin, Usman Khan, was called up by the PCB for the training camp, which is currently ongoing and will end on April 8th.
For now, Usman Khan is registered as a United Arab Emirates cricketer, but it remains to be seen whether the PCB can make a deal with the UAE Cricket Board to allow Usman Khan to represent Pakistan in the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Recently, Babar Azam was reappointed as the white ball captain of Pakistan, replacing Shaheen Shah Afridi in that position. There’s a lot of controversy regarding this news, but Pakistani fans would be hoping that under the leadership of Babar Azam, the Men in Green would hopefully go on to lift their second T20 World Cup trophy.
Read: Pakistan’s 18-Member Squad against New Zealand
Pakistan’s predicted 15 member squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup
Babar Azam (Captain), Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Amir, Haris Rauf, Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Iftikhar Ahmed, Usama Mir, Saim Ayub, Usman Khan (if he switches his cricket board), Haseebullah Khan, and Azam Khan.
Read: India’s T20 World Cup squad is set to be selected in April’s last week