Major Omissions from Pakistan’s T20 Squads

Pakistan’s selectors have notably left out Shaheen Shah Afridi, Babar Azam, and Mohammad Rizwan, three of the nation’s premier cricketers, from the most recent T20 teams.

According to sources, these squads are being finalized for Pakistan’s forthcoming international matches, notably a three-game T20I series against Bangladesh in July.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) has reportedly provided a tentative schedule to the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), though an official announcement is still pending.

Shaheen Afridi’s Exclusion

Despite Shaheen Afridi’s strong showing in the recent Pakistan Super League (PSL), PCB insiders suggest that worries regarding his demeanor played a key role in his omission.

Reportedly, internal assessments raised concerns about the left-arm bowler’s conduct, which led to the selectors adopting a strict stance.

Absence of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan

Former captains Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan have been absent from the T20I format for a while. Their most recent participation in this format was during the 2024 series against South Africa.

The updated T20 team, which includes several new players, is slated to compete against Bangladesh next month before participating in a significant limited-overs series against the West Indies in the United States.

Selection Committee Meeting

The final team choices were determined during a crucial gathering of the national selection committee.

The meeting saw attendance from head coach Mike Hesson, T20I captain Agha Salman, selectors Aaqib Javed and Aleem Dar, along with recent inductees Sarfaraz Ahmed and Sikandar Bakht.

Changes to Selection Panel

The PCB has also revamped its selection committee, relieving former Test players Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq of their responsibilities.

While official announcements concerning the roles of Sarfaraz Ahmed and Sikandar Bakht are still awaited, both have participated in two successive selection meetings.

Sources suggest Asad Shafiq is now concentrating on his duties at the Karachi High Performance Centre and the Women’s Selection Committee, while Azhar Ali will spearhead youth development projects.