Rohail Nazir Poised for T20I Series Against Bangladesh and West Indies

KARACHI: The strong performance of Mohammad Haris in the recent home series against Bangladesh, which Pakistan won 3-0, has cast doubt on Mohammad Rizwan’s position in the national T20I squad.

As discussions around the team’s composition gain momentum, wicketkeeper-batter Rohail Nazir may find himself with an opportunity.

Sources indicate that selectors are inclined to include Rohail in the upcoming T20I series against Bangladesh and the West Indies over the next few months.

With a potential shift in team dynamics, there’s speculation that senior players Babar Azam and Rizwan might not participate in international cricket for the next half-year.

Their possible return could be considered during Pakistan’s World Test Championship (WTC) 2025–27 opening series against South Africa in November.

A comeback in the T20I format for either player is currently viewed as unlikely.

Amidst these potential adjustments, the roles of Sarfaraz Ahmed and Sikandar Bakht within the national setup are also uncertain.

Although both were present at selection committee meetings in Islamabad and Lahore, the PCB has not yet officially clarified their positions.

The PCB’s official website still lists Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, and Hassan Cheema as members of the selection committee.

It is worth noting that Rohail Nazir, the former U19 captain, has played in three T20I matches for Pakistan, accumulating 23 runs with a strike rate of 100.

His most recent T20I appearance for Pakistan was against Bangladesh in Hangzhou in 2023.

Pakistan is expected to play a three-match T20I series against Bangladesh in July, based on a proposal from the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), although an official announcement is pending.

Following this, the Pakistan team, potentially led by Salman Agha, is scheduled to travel to the USA for a series against the West Indies in August, consisting of three ODIs and three T20Is.