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Former wicketkeeper-batter Kamran Akmal has unveiled Pakistan‘s squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, scheduled to be held in the West Indies and the United States of America (USA), commencing from June 1.
Pakistan will kick off their campaign against co-hosts United States of America (USA) on June 6 at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas. Following that, their pivotal clash in the league stage awaits against arch-rivals India on June 9 at Nassau County International Stadium in New York. Subsequently, Pakistan will conclude their group stage fixtures against Canada and Ireland on June 11 and June 16, respectively.
Pakistan’s T20 World Cup 2024 Squad: Kamran Akmal
Now former cricketer Akmal selected his potential squad for the global showpiece event. Akmal’s astutely constructed Pakistan T20 World Cup squad embodies a perfect blend of seasoned experience and budding talent. At the forefront is the dynamic leadership of Babar Azam, whose captaincy prowess and stellar batting skills epitomize the team’s aspirations.
Explosive batting flair and resilient depth
Backing him up is the stalwart Mohammad Rizwan, a rock behind the stumps and a linchpin in the batting lineup, offering stability while orchestrating tactical moves from his strategic position. The batting order further showcases the explosive flair of Fakhar Zaman, whose aggressive batting style can dismantle any bowling attack, complemented by the resilient Irfan Khan Niazi and the skillful finesse of Iftikhar Ahmad.
Also READ: Misbah-ul-Haq selects Pakistan’s batting order for the T20 World Cup 2024
All-round versatility
Managing the wicketkeeping duties are Azam Khan, a promising talent with a bright future, and the seasoned Rizwan, ensuring depth and adaptability in the squad. The middle order is bolstered by the all-round capabilities of Shadab Khan and Imad Wasim, adding layers of resilience and versatility with both bat and ball.
The pace attack, led by Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Naseem Shah and Usman Khan, promises a relentless barrage of deliveries capable of unsettling even the most composed batters. The selection dilemma between spin options, represented by Usama Mir and dynamic all-rounder Aamer Jamal, highlights Akmal’s meticulous attention to balance and adaptability in different match scenarios.
Meticulous balance and adaptability
Further enhancing the squad’s depth are promising talents like Saim Ayub and Abrar Ahmad, offering a glimpse into Pakistan’s cricketing future. With the emergence of Abbas Afridi as a potent force in the bowling department, Akmal’s ensemble presents a formidable unit ready to tackle the challenges of the T20 World Cup with flair and finesse.
Exclusion of Haris Rauf
Interestingly, Akmal made the decision to exclude Haris Rauf from his ultimate 15-man squad, despite Rauf’s recuperation from an injury endured during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2024. While Rauf was absent from Pakistan’s recent T20I series against New Zealand, reports indicate that he has resumed training.
Pakistan have been a consistent contender in every edition of the T20 World Cup, clinching the title in 2009 and securing runner-up positions in two editions. With Babar at the helm, the task of steering Pakistan to their first silverware in seven years appears challenging.
My Squad for T20 World cup🇵🇰
1.Babar Azam (c)
2.Muhammad Rizwan (wk)
3.Fakhar Zaman
4.Irfan khan Niazi
5.Iftikhar Ahmad
6.Azam khan (wk)
7.Shadab Khan
8.Imad Wasim
9.Shaheen shah Afridi
10.M.Amir
11.Naseem Shah
12.Usman Khan
13.Saim Ayub/Abrar Ahmad
14.Abbas Afridi
15.Usama…— Kamran Akmal (@KamiAkmal23) May 1, 2024
