T20 World Cup 2021: Fakhar Zaman, Sarfaraz Ahmed and Haider Ali named in Pakistan's revised squad

Pakistan has included top-order batter Fakhar Zaman, wicketkeeper Sarfaraz Ahmed and middle-order batter Haider Ali in their T20 World Cup squad. The tournament is set to be played in the United Arab Emirates and Oman from October 17 to November 14.

Ahmed and Ali, who had missed out from the 15-member squad named by the Pakistan Cricket Board earlier last month, are drafted in at the expense of Azam Khan and Mohammad Hasnain, respectively, whereas Zaman, who was named as a travel reserve, has been included in place of Khushdil Shah.

“After reviewing player performances in the highly competitive National T20 and consultation with the team management, we have decided to include Haider Ali, Fakhar Zaman and Sarfaraz Ahmed in the squad for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021,” Chief selector Muhammad Wasim said. “The three in-form players bring with them a wealth of experience and talent, and provide further stability, balance and strength to the side.”

“It must be tough for Azam, Khushdil and Hasnain for missing out but they still have a lot to offer in their careers. They are in our plans as a lot of cricket has to be played post the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2021 and in the lead up to the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022 in Australia.

“I am pleased with the intensity and high quality of cricket that we have witnessed in the National T20. It has not only provided the players excellent match practice in the lead up to the UAE competition, but it has also given us the opportunity to closely monitor the player progress and then make decisions that are in the best interest of the side for what will be a cut-throat tournament,” Wasim added.

Further, the call on Sohaib Maqsood, who underwent MRI scans for a back injury during the ongoing National T20 Cup, will be made as per his medical progress. All the teams have time until October 10 to finalize their squads.

Pakistan’s 15-member T20 World Cup squad

Babar Azam (captain), Shadab Khan (vice-captain), Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haider Ali, Haris Rauf, Hasan Ali, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Nawaz, Mohammad Rizwan, Mohammad Wasim Jnr, Sarfaraz Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sohaib Maqsood

Traveling reserves – Khushdil Shah, Shahnawaz Dahani, and Usman Qadir

Check the latest updates of the T20 World Cup schedule, T20 World cup Teams and Squads, T20 World Cup Points table, and more on CricTracker.