Pakistan name 18-member T20I squad for Bangladesh tour, Iftikhar Ahmed replaces Mohammad Hafeez

Mohammad Hafeez is the sole major omission as Pakistan named an 18-member squad for their T20I series against Bangladesh. The veteran said that he pulled out from the tour in order for youngsters to get enough chances. Pakistan have included Iftikhar Ahmed in the squad in place of Hafeez.

The 31-year-old Iftikhar had an excellent campaign for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in the previous edition of the National T20 Cup, Pakistan’s domestic competition. In 12 matches, the right-hander smashed 409 runs at an average of 102.25 and a strike rate of 170.41. He scored three half-centuries and got out only four times.

Iftikhar also managed to pick up eight wickets from 19 overs at an excellent economy rate of 5.57. He wasn’t a part of the national squad for the T20 World Cup 2021 and last played international cricket in Pakistan’s home series against South Africa back in February.

Matthew Hayden not available 

The Pakistan Cricket Board has also retained the same team management that is present in the World Cup, barring batting consultant Matthew Hayden. The southpaw said that he won’t be available due to personal commitments.

The team will be led by Babar Azam, who has done an excellent job thus far in the T20 World Cup. Pakistan have already qualified for the semis, having won all their five games in the mega event. Moreover, they are the only unbeaten team in the T20 tournament.

Shadab Khan will act as Babar’s deputy for the series. The likes of Mohammad Wasim Jr, Mohammad Nawaz, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Haider Ali, who all are yet to get a game in the World Cup, have been called up for the Bangladesh T20I series.

Pakistan squad

Babar Azam  (captain), Shadab Khan  (vice-captain), Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Shahnawaz Dahani, Shoaib Malik, Usman Qadir

Pakistan are set to play three T20Is in Bangladesh, starting Friday, November 19. All the matches will take place at the Sher-e-Bangla National Stadium in Dhaka. Pakistan will lock horns with the Tigers in two Test matches in Chattogram and Dhaka.