T20 World Cup: Pakistan declares adjustments in squad, Fakhar Zaman and Sarfaraz Ahmed included

Pakistan’s selectors on Friday confirmed adjustments within the squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021, which can be held within the United Arab Emirates from 17 October to 14 November. Pakistan is in Group 2 and can open its marketing campaign towards India on 24 October on the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

From the squad that was introduced on 4 September and after considering participant performances and kind, the selectors have made three adjustments.Sarfaraz Ahmed and Haider Ali have changed Azam Khan and Mohammad Hasnain respectively, whereas Fakhar Zaman, who was initially named as a journey reserve, has swapped locations with Khushdil Shah.The determination on Sohaib Maqsood’s inclusion within the squad can be made following medical recommendation. The top-order batter underwent MRI scans for his decrease again after the 6 October National T20 match towards Northern and missed Thursday’s Punjab derby towards Central Punjab.Pakistan’s 15-player squad (in alphabetical order):Babar Azam (captain, Central Punjab)Shadab Khan (vice-captain, Northern)Asif Ali (Northern)Fakhar Zaman (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)Haider Ali (Northern)Haris Rauf (Northern)Hasan Ali (Central Punjab)Imad Wasim (Northern)Mohammad Hafeez (Central Punjab)Mohammad Nawaz (Northern)Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)Mohammad Wasim Jnr (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)Sarfaraz Ahmed (wicketkeeper, Sindh)Shaheen Shah Afridi (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)Sohaib Maqsood (Southern Punjab)Traveling reserves Khushdil Shah (Southern Punjab), Shahnawaz Dahani (Sindh) and Usman Qadir (Central Punjab)Player Support Personnel: Mansoor Rana (supervisor), Saqlain Mushtaq (interim head coach), Shahid Aslam (assistant head coach), Matthew Hayden (batting advisor), Vernon Philander (bowling advisor), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Drikus Saaiman (energy and conditioning coach), Abdul Majeed (fielding coach), Talha Ejaz (group analyst), Col (retd) Muhammad Imran (Security Manager), Ibrahim Badees (media and digital supervisor), Dr Najeeb Soomro (group physician) and Malang Ali (Masseur)Chief selector Muhammad Wasim: “After reviewing player performances in the highly competitive National T20 and in consultation with the team management, we have decided to include Haider Ali, Fakhar Zaman, and Sarfaraz Ahmed in the squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021.“The three in-form players bring with them a wealth of experience and talent and provide further stability, balance and strength to the side.“It must be tough for Azam, Khushdil and Hasnain to miss out but they still have a lot to offer in their careers. They are in our future plans as a lot of cricket has to be played post the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 and in the lead up to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia.“I am pleased with the intensity and high quality of cricket that we have witnessed in the National T20. It has not only provided the players with excellent match practice in the lead-up to the UAE competition, it has also given us the opportunity to closely monitor the player progress and then make decisions that are in the best interest of the side for what will be a cut-throat tournament.”Schedule of Pakistan’s matches in ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 (all matches to begin at 1900 Pakistan time):24 Oct Pakistan v India, ICC T20 WC (Group 2), Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai26 Oct Pakistan v New Zealand, ICC T20 WC (Group 2), Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah29 Oct Pakistan v Afghanistan, ICC T20 WC (Group 2), Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Dubai2 Nov Pakistan v A2, ICC T20 WC (Group 2), Sheikh Zayed International Cricket Stadium, Abdu Dhabi7 Nov Pakistan v B1, ICC T20 WC (Group 2), Sharjah Cricket Stadium, Sharjah