Pakistan T20 World Cup 2024 Squad: Salman Ali Agha & Irfan Khan Niazi Only Omissions From 15-Member Group in Babar Azam-Led Side

Pakistan eye gametime for Haris Rauf

After the first T20I against England was washed out, Pakistan will hope they can provide some much-needed match practice to pacer Haris Rauf in the remaining 3 T20Is, starting with second T20I on Saturday (May 25). It has to be noted that Pakistan will not play any warm up matches before the T20 World Cup 2024. Stay tuned to myKhel.com for further reactions and Pakistan squad related stories.

Haris Rauf fit and ready to fire!

Haris Rauf, who had dislocated his shoulder earlier this year during the PSL, is fit and bowling well in the nets and the selectors are confident of him holding good.

"Haris Rauf is fully fit and bowling well in the nets. It would have been nice if he had gotten an outing at Headingley, but we remain confident that he will continue to maintain an upward trajectory in the upcoming matches, as he will have an important role to play along with other strike bowlers in the T20 World Cup."

Maiden T20 World Cup Appearance

Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Saim Ayub and Usman Khan have been handed their maiden T20 World Cup call up. Azam and Usman are wicketkeepers, while Saim Ayub is a top order batter, and Abrar Ahmed and Abbas Afridi will be part of the six-man bowling group.

Who Else Will Be Travelling With The Squad?

Wahab Riaz (senior team manager), Mansoor Rana (team manager), Gary Kirsten (head coach), Azhar Mahmood (assistant coach), Simon Helmot (fielding coach), David Reid (mental performance coach), Aftab Khan (high performance coach), Cliffe Deacon (physiotherapist), Irtaza Komail (chief security officer), Mohammad Imran (masseur), Mohammad Khurram Sarwar (team doctor), Talha Ijaz (analyst), Raza Kitchlew (media and digital manager) and Drikus Saaiman (strength and conditioning coach) will all be travelling with the Pakistan squad for the T20 World Cup 2024.

No surprises in Pakistan T20 World Cup 2024 Squad

Abrar Ahmed is the lone specialist spinner, while Abbas Afridi is picked as the fifth pace option. Usman Khan is also selected as the third wicketkeeper-batter, while Salman Ali Agha and Irfan Khan Niazi, who were believed to be the travelling reserves, are not part of the squad.

Pakistan finally announce T20 World Cup 2024 Squad

Pakistan T20 World Cup Squad:Babar Azam (captain), Abrar Ahmed, Azam Khan, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Rauf, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad Abbas Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Rizwan, Naseem Shah, Saim Ayub, Shadab Khan, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Usman Khan.

Stars ready to shine! 🌟

Behold, Pakistan's ICC Men's #T20WorldCup 2024 bound squad 🇵🇰

Read more: https://t.co/gYCOU9bwl2#WeHaveWeWill | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/qHRWnBMiGh

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 24, 2024

Pakistan Bowling Unit in Practice

In a video clip shared by the PCB X handle, Pakistan's bowling unit, including Haris Rauf, can be seen bowling in the nets. As we inch closer to 8 PM PKT, the T20 World Cup 2024 squad announcement may happen only tomorrow (May 25, Saturday) before the second T20I against England. Stay tuned till we get confirmation of the same.

Huddle 🆙

Pakistan Team gears up for the contest at Edgbaston 🏏#ENGvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/1IW72MNciK

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 24, 2024

No surprises or changes in Pakistan squad?

Pakistan is likely to announce the squad soon. But as per Pakistan media, there is no big surprises or changes expected to the current 17-member group, who are in England for the T20I series.

Pakistan team celebrate a birthday!

While everyone waits for the T20 World Cup 2024 squad announcement, Pakistan team is celebrating opening batter Saim Ayub's birthday in Birmingham ahead of the second T20I against England at Edgbaston.

Cheers to another year! 🎉

Birthday celebrations for @SaimAyub7 🎂#ENGvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/Q2BNTPi1qX

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 24, 2024

Pakistan keep us waiting

Pakistan will announce the squad only after the reported meeting. There is a good chance that the squad announcement could be delayed until tomorrow (Saturday, May 25), the deadline for teams to make any alterations to squad.

Pakistan squad announcement live: Men in Green gear up for 2nd T20I

Meanwhile, Babar Azam's team in England are gearing up for the 2nd T20I in Birmingham on Saturday. The first match was abadoned without toss due to rain. PCB has shared pictures from team's training seassion on Friday.

Bracing for the action 🏏

Preps 🔛 for the next T20I 📸#ENGvPAK | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/lO9PwLvWqu

— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 24, 2024

Pakistan squad announcement live: Squad to be released after 6 PM

After Naqvi's interruption, the selectors are likely to finish the required process within three hours. Reports in Pakistan media have suggested that Pakistan Squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 can be announced after 6 PM today.

Pakistan Squad for T20 World Cup: Drama in Pakistan cricket again

Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi has stopped the announcement of Pakistan cricket team's squad for the T20 World Cup. Naqvihas expressed disappointment with the selection committee for not following the due process of meetings and fulfilling the selection criteria before the announcement.

PAK Squad For T20 WC: Why the delay?

The selectors wanted to check the fitness and performance of a few players during the Ireland T20Is, and in the first game against England. However, the Leeds T20I was abandoned due to rain. Pakistan will face England in the second T20I on Saturday.

Pakistan team in Edgbaston for practice before squad announcement

Pakistan train ahead of the second T20I against England at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham before the selectors announce the squad for the T20 World Cup 2024 later today. Stay tuned for further updates.

Pakistan legend named ambassador for T20 World Cup 2024

Former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi has been named as the tournament ambassador for the T20 World Cup 2024, alongside Chris Gayle, Yuvraj Singh, and Usain Bolt.

Usman Khan or Salman Ali Agha - Who Will Backup Batter?

As per reports, both Usman Khan and Salman Ali Agha are in the running for a spot in the Pakistan T20 World Cup 2024 Squad. With strike rate being the priority, Usman may edge out Agha for the back up batter's slot. Stay tuned for further updates as we await the Pakistan T20 World Cup 2024 Squad announcement.

Pakistan Likely Playing 11

The playing 11 will probably get clearer once the England series is completed. But as it stands, Pakistan may go with four pacers and the three spin-bowling all-rounders. They may opt for the specialist spinner depending on the conditions and the opponent. First of all let's wait for the squad announcement as well as that could give even more clarity.

Is Abbas Afridi going only as back up?

In all likelihood, Abbas Afridi, who is set to be part of the five pacers headed to the USA for the T20 World Cup 2024, may only be part of the squad as a back up to the quartet of Shaheen Shah Afridi, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Mohammad Amir. He will only get a chance if one of the four has a poor run of games or one of them is injured.

Pakistan to name only one specialist spinner in T20 World Cup squad?

Abrar Ahmed is set to become the lone specialist spinner in Pakistan's squad for the T20 World Cup 2024. He, however, is unlikely to be an immediate pick in all the matches as Pakistan could use three of their all-rounders - Shadab Khan, Iftikhar Ahmed and Imad Wasim, who are pretty handy with some spin bowling, as their tweakers in the playing 11. This will also allow four pacers to be picked in the 11.

Pakistan to announce Babar's deputy today?

Pakistan has named Babar Azam as the captain for all three formats, but hasn't named his deputy in the recent three T20I series. However, the selectors are likely to announce the vice captain as well when they reveal the 15-member squad with Shadab Khan and Mohammad Rizwan the favourites for the role.

PCB Selection Committee should also announce vice-captain of Pakistan today alongside squad for T20 WorldCup 2024. No vice-captain in such a mega tournament will be indeed shocking! #ENGvPAK

— Arfa Feroz Zake (@ArfaSays_) May 24, 2024

Will Fakhar Zaman be an immediate pick in Pakistan 11?

Fakhar Zaman is likely to be included in the Pakistan squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024. But his spot in the playing 11 will not be straightforward if Pakistan opt to play four pacers and all the three spinning all-rounders in their 11. Babar, Rizwan and Saim are likely to take the top 3 spots in the batting order with Azam Khan likely to bat at number four. So, Fakhar may be used as back up if Pakistan opt for just four batting options with three all-rounders.

Pakistan's preparations for T20 World Cup 2024

With the first match of the 4-match series being washed out, Pakistan will have only 3 more games before the T20 World Cup 2024. Babar Azam and co will not play a single warm up match before the show-piece tournament opener against an upbeat co-host USA on June 6.

Babar Azam to bat at number 3 at T20 World Cup?

Skipper Babar Azam has confirmed that he will bat at number 3 in the England series, indicating a possiblity of him continuing in that role at T20 World Cup 2024 with Mohammad Rizwan and Saim Ayub likely to be the openers.

T20 World Cup 2024: Pakistan to include 3 wicketkeepers?

With the potential inclusion of Mohammad Rizwan, Azam Khan and Usman Khan, Pakistan are likely to name three wicketkeepers in their 15-member squad for the T20 World Cup. However, only two may feature in the playing 11 with one playing as a pure batter. Rizwan and Azam are the first picks, while Usman will be cover for the duo.

Pakistan Likely Squad For T20 World Cup 2024

Pakistan Squad: Babar Azam (captain), Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Azam Khan (wicketkeeper), Saim Ayub, Fakhar Zaman, Iftikhar Ahmed, Shadab Khan, Usman Khan (wicketkeeper), Imad Wasim, Abrar Ahmed, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf, Abbas Afridi.

Travelling Reserves: Salman Ali Agha and Irfan Khan Niazi.

Why was Hasan Ali released from Pakistan squad?

The pacer Hasan Ali was only named in the squad for the Ireland and England series as back up for fellow pacer Haris Rauf, who was regaining fitness after a shoulder injury he picked up during PSL. Rauf seems to be fit and hence Pakistan has released Hasan Ali to play for Warwickshire in the English County.

T20 World Cup 2024: Who will make the cut in Pakistan 15?

Pakistan released pacer Hasan Ali from their 18-member squad for the ongoing series against England. The 17-member squad which is currently in England is set to be the ones headed to USA and West Indies later this month. Salman Ali Agha and Irfan Khan Niazi are likely to be the travelling reserves according to reports.

Five pacers and one spinner - Pakistan Bowling Unit for T20 World Cup 2024

Pakistan are likely to include five pacers and one specialist spinner in their squad for the T20 World Cup 2024, according to several reports. The five pacers will be Shaheen Shah Afridi, Mohammad Amir, Naseem Shah, Haris Rauf and Abbas Afridi, while Abrar Ahmed will be the lone specialist tweaker alongside a few all-rounders, who can also bowl spin.

Pakistan T20 World Cup 2024 Squad Announcement Date

As the May 25 deadline for competing teams to make any alterations to their squads is approaching, Pakistan is likely to announce their 17-member squad, including the travelling reserves, today.