The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Tuesday officially announced the national squad for the upcoming three-match T20I series against Bangladesh. This series is set to be played from July 20 to 24 at the Sher-e-Bangla National Cricket Stadium in Dhaka.
According to the PCB’s official press release, Salman Ali Agha will continue to lead the national side as captain in the T20I format. The Men’s National Selection Committee finalized the squad with a strategic focus on the team’s performance outlook for the Bangladesh series.
The PCB also confirmed that the squad for the upcoming white-ball series against the West Indies will be announced at a later date.
The selected squad features a mix of seasoned players and promising new talent. Notable names like Fakhar Zaman and Faheem Ashraf have been retained. The inclusion of two wicketkeepers—Mohammad Haris and Sahibzada Farhan—provides the team with tactical flexibility in both batting and behind the stumps.
However, injured all-rounder Shadab Khan and fast bowler Haris Rauf have been excluded from the fitness-affected squad for this series. Shadab, who served as vice-captain during Pakistan’s 3-0 home win over Bangladesh last month, is currently recuperating in England after undergoing shoulder surgery. Rauf sustained a hamstring injury during a T20 League game in the United States on Sunday, while another pacer, Hasan Ali, is unavailable due to his commitment to county cricket in England.
Pakistan continues to rest former captains Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan, along with spearhead Shaheen Shah Afridi. Selectors have indicated their intention to try out new players as part of their World Cup preparations. Azam and Rizwan last played for the T20I squad in South Africa last year, while Shaheen featured in the New Zealand tour in March of this year.
Also sidelined are pacers Naseem Shah and Mohammad Wasim, who are both in the process of regaining full fitness after injuries. This situation prompted the selectors to include uncapped pacers Salman Mirza (31) and Ahmed Daniyal (28), both of whom performed well in this year’s Pakistan Super League. Spinning all-rounder Mohammad Nawaz returns to the squad, having last played for Pakistan in January 2024.
The team will be supported by a full-strength management unit, led by manager Naveed Akram Cheema and head coach Mike Hesson. The coaching staff also includes Ashley Noffke (bowling), Muhammad Hanif Malik (batting), and Shane McDermott (fielding). Other support staff members include a physiotherapist, strength and conditioning coach, analyst, media and security managers, team doctor, and a masseur.
Squad: Salman Ali Agha (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Ahmed Daniyal, Faheem Ashraf, Fakhar Zaman, Hassan Nawaz, Hussain Talat, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Haris (wk), Mohammad Nawaz, Sahibzada Farhan (wk), Saim Ayub, Salman Mirza, and Sufyan Moqim.
Team Management: Naveed Akram Cheema (manager), Mike Hesson (head coach), Ashley Noffke (bowling coach), Muhammad Hanif Malik (batting coach), Shane McDermott (fielding coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Grant Luden (strength and conditioning coach), Talha Ejaz (analyst), Syed Naeem Ahmad (media manager), Irtaza Komail (security manager), Dr. Wajid Ali Rafai (doctor), and Muhammad Ehsan (masseur).
