Fast bowler Shaheen Afridi is likely to lead the Pakistan team in the upcoming three-match T20I series against Afghanistan as Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) is mulling to rest skipper Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan.
According to the 241NewsHDTV channel, the national squad for the Pak-Afghan T20 series will be announced tomorrow (March 13).
Chief selector Haroon Rasheed will announce the team in a press conference. The consultation of the selection committee has entered the final stage.
A three-match T20 series is scheduled between Pakistan and Afghanistan in the UAE this month after the Pakistan Super League’s eighth edition.
As per the sources, the selection panel led by Haroon Rasheed, is considering a proposal to rest some senior players, including Babar Azam, and Mohammad Rizwan. The idea is to give young cricketers a chance and build a team for 2024 T20 World Cup. Therefore, some new faces could be included in the Pakistan squad.
Few players including Azam Khan, Haseebullah Khan, Ihsanullah, Saim Ayub and Osama Mir are under consideration to join the national team due to their exceptional performances in the ongoing PSL. All-rounders Faheem Ashraf and Imad Wasim are also in contention for selection.
Shaheen Shah and Fakhar Zaman are likely to rejoin the squad.
The former Pakistan cricketer Muhammad Yousuf is set to be named as the interim head coach of the national men’s team for the series against Afghanistan.
The decision is likely to be taken because the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) was not able to finalise the agreement for role of head coach with Mickey Arthur.
Schedule:
March 24: 1st T20I, Sharjah
March 26: 2nd T20I, Sharjah
March 27: 3rd T20I, Sharjah