Former Indian all-rounder Irfan Pathan analysed Pakistan’s squad that will travel to Ireland and England before the commencement of the T20 World Cup 2024 which will be played in the United States and West Indies.
Pathan, who was part of the 2007 T20 World Cup-winning Indian side, believes that Pakistan have a “solid” team as they have quality pacers and middle-order batters.
The former all-rounder praised Azam Khan and Fakhar Zaman, who are known for their explosive batting styles and then went on to hail Pakistan’s bowling trio of Shaheen Afridi, Mohammad Amir and Naseem Shah.
“Fakhar Zaman & Azam Khan will be very dangerous in the middle. Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah and Mohammad Amir are high-quality pacers. Even Imad Wasim bowls well in the powerplay. It’s a solid team,” Pathan said while talking on a show.
The Pakistan selection committee on Thursday (May 2) announced an 18-man squad which will feature in the Ireland and England T20I tours.
While there were some surprise entries like Salman Ali Agha and Hasan Ali in the squad, many regular names in Pakistan cricket from the last two years — Zaman Khan, Mohammad Wasim Jr., Usama Mir — were left out which was no less than a surprise for many.
On the other hand, Haris Rauf and Azam Khan made their return to the squad after missing the five-match T20I series against New Zealand which Pakistan hosted last month.
Pakistan squad for Ireland and England series:
Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Irfan Khan Niazi, Iftikhar Ahmad, Usman Khan, Azam Khan (wk), Shadab Khan, Imad Wasim, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abbas Afridi, Abrar Ahmed, Hasan Ali, Salman Ali Agha
Pakistan's schedule of upcoming matches
Tour of Ireland
May 10: First T20I at Clontarf
May 12: Second T20I at Clontarf
May 14: Third T20I at Clontarf
Tour of England
May 22: First T20I at Leeds
May 25: Second T20I at Birmingham
May 28: Third T20I at Cardiff
May 30: Fourth T20I at The Oval
