Pakistan’s T20 World Cup squad announcement expected soon

Pakistan is expected to announce its T20 squad for the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup and the home series against Australia following final consultations scheduled later this week, sources said.

According to insiders, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will hold detailed discussions involving head coach Mike Hesson, captain Salman Ali Agha and the national selectors before finalising the squad. Hesson is expected to arrive in Lahore after the conclusion of Pakistan’s tour of Sri Lanka, where he, along with other foreign members of the coaching staff, had joined the team.

Sources said members of the national T20 squad are returning to Pakistan on Tuesday after completing the Sri Lanka series. Once consultations are completed, the squad will be announced following approval from the PCB chairman.

The PCB has already submitted an initial list of players to the International Cricket Council (ICC) for the T20 World Cup, sources added. However, the board retains the option to make changes to the list without ICC approval until January 31.

A 15-member squad is expected to be named for the World Cup, with several players currently under consideration. Captain Salman Ali Agha, Sahibzada Farhan, Saim Ayub and Fakhar Zaman are among the leading contenders, according to sources.

Other players whose names are being discussed include Shadab Khan, Babar Azam, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Nawaz, Usman Khan and Abrar Ahmed. The pace bowl ising group under consideration features Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Salman Mirza and Khawaja Nafi.