Pakistan Selector Wahab Riaz Considers Opening Pair Change for T20 World Cup 2024

Pakistan cricket team's chief selector, Wahab Riaz, has hinted at a possible change in the opening pair for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024, set to commence on June 1. Currently, Babar Azam and Saim Ayub have been opening the innings for Pakistan, but Riaz is open to rotating the pair to suit the team's needs.

In a recent statement, Riaz explained the rationale behind the potential change, saying, "We wanted one of Babar or Rizwan to provide support to the middle-order which is why Saim, who is a more attacking player, opened the innings. This is also part of the planning, if somewhere we feel that we need to change that we will do that as well. We are working in the best interest of the team."

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) selection committee has named an 18-member squad for the upcoming T20I series against Ireland and England. The team is scheduled to depart for Dublin on May 7 after a three-day training camp in Lahore from May 4-6. Pakistan will face Ireland in a three-match T20I series from May 10 to May 14, followed by a four-match T20I series against England commencing on May 22.

The 18-member squad includes Babar Azam (c), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Irfan Khan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Salman Agha, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Afridi, and Usman Khan. The squad will be reduced to 15 players for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 after the first T20I against England on May 22 to meet the ICC's team announcement deadline of May 24.

Unlike other leading cricketing nationssuch as New Zealand, India, South Africa, and England, Pakistan has not yet announced its final 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup 2024. Wahab Riaz stated that the squad announcement will be delayed until late May on account of concerns over the fitness and performance of certain players.

Riaz mentioned that the fitness levels of players like Haris Rauf and others need to be assessed before making a final decision on the squad. Haris Rauf has been out of competitive action since suffering a shoulder dislocation during the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2024 in February but has been undergoing rehabilitation and bowling sessions at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.

Other players, including Azam Khan, Mohammad Rizwan, and Irfan Khan Niazi, have also been dealing with injuries, with Azam Khan and Irfan Khan Niazi missing out on the recent T20 series against New Zealand. "We have to check fitness of Haris Rauf and a few other players. Pakistan will announce squad for T20 World Cup 2024 after May 21," Riaz stated.

The tours of Ireland and England hold key significance in the team's preparation for the T20 World Cup 2024. Pakistan cricket team gears up for the mega-event, all eyes will be on the selection committee's decisions and the team's performance in the upcoming series. With the potential for changes in the opening pair and the final squad yet to be announced, fans and analysts eagerly await the team's composition and strategy for the T20 World Cup 2024.

Key Takeaways

• Pakistan's chief selector Wahab Riaz hints at possible change in opening pair for T20 World Cup 2024.
• Current openers Babar Azam and Saim Ayub may be rotated to suit team needs.
• 18-member squad named for Ireland and England T20I series, to be reduced to 15 for T20 World Cup.
• Squad announcement delayed until late May due to fitness concerns over players like Haris Rauf.
• Tours of Ireland and England crucial for team's preparation for T20 World Cup 2024.